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Pantera Trannie Noise, what's normal?

J jeffcMember
Hello Forum,

New member Jeff C. here from Canada. I decided about 2 months ago to start learning about Panteras with an eye towards making a purchase next year. Then one came up for sale in the neighborhood..... so here I am on the razor's edge.

I will have a reputable body shop hoist it Friday for a look at rust. I've done a lot of reading and feel reasonably ready ( including a chat with George - Thanks George. ) First test drive will follow.

My question du jour is about trannie noise. The car was started for me and besides an annoying exhaust leak, I could hear ( leaning into the engine compartment ) an interesting sort of roll over noise, rough, somewhat louder as the engine wound down from a rev up. It seemed to lessen but still remained when the clutch was disengaged. I cannot decide if it is coming from the engine, bell housing or front of the trans.

So, I'd like to ask two specific questions and also invite comments:
1) I understand ZFs have a reputation for perfectly normal gear whine. Is that the extent of what I can expect for normal trannie noise?
2) Anyone experienced a sound like I've described?

All input is welcome.

Early 1973 L model with filler cap under hood and wide set speedo and tach. Skinny back tires compared to the norm...

Many thanks all. I hope to be an owner here soon but without buyer's remorse....

Best,
Jeff C.
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bosswrenchbosswrenchMember
quote:
Push the clutch in and put the car in gear. If the noise is still there it ISN'T the ZF. More than likely it is the throwout bearing...


....or the pilot roller bearing (if installed). Both should be changed whenever there's an opportunity since both are cheap and require the whole ZF transaxle to be removed for access.

Diagnosing described noises in a machine a thousand miles away is nigh-on-impossible, but the ZF is about the most bullet-proof part in your Pantera. Nevertheless, some owners can 'break an anvil with a rubber mallet' so it pays to check the box out when you pull it for the above checks. Once out, the box is drained, flipped upside down and the bottom cover is removed to visually inspect. The ring gear bolts should be safety-wired if not already done!
J jeffcMember
Hi Folks,

Thanks for the input so far. Speaking to all the posts - I am being wary, thanks for checking Wink

Car is located in lower BC but was repainted in Saskatchewan in 1986 so I must assume it's had brine on the bottom at some point in its life. Again, a lift and check with professionals is happening tomorrow.

I do appreciate that a remote diagnosis is impossible. My objective is to gather whatever information is available so I don't play the game without a card or two in my hand.

I am suspect of the clutch and components as well. The chutch-in test mentioned above was done in neutral. I should have thought about the "put it in gear" check per ZR1 Pantera, I'll do that. Thanks.

I will go forward then with the assumption that a whine is OK, as I've read that in a few places already. I will also check for smooth shifts.

Tomorrow will be telling. Thanks all.
Jeff C.
bosswrenchbosswrenchMember
There is a scientific principle called 'Occams Razor' that paraphrased says, in a world of possibilities, the simplest explanation is likely the correct one. Don't get too carried away by what could be happening when its so easy to check the basics- by pulling the ZF. I hope your shop has done this before so will recognize if/when something is wrong. Panteras are different.
J jeffcMember
Hello All, this post is a little late in coming.

We hoisted the car July 11. Plenty of rust here and there including the infamous rear wheel well frame rust - broken through on the driver's side ( see pic ).

No doubt this is a candidate for a full strip and resto. I have a fellow now looking at pictures to give an idea of cost, etc.

While in the shop we tried "ZR1 Pantera"'s "clutch in - in gear test". The upshot is the mechanic and I agree the sound is coming from the bell housing.

I drove it for about 30 minutes. I could not hear any trannie noise, including the bell housing sounds. There was no grinding of the gears, however it shifted VERY stifly in all gears, meaning it took some muscle to get the lever into the slot. More so in first gear. I attribute this to the rusty linkage I saw, but of course I acknowledge the ZF may have an issue.

I can carry on and on of course but at this point I'm not enthusiastic at the asking price of mid- $30K. Better value ( and joy ) could be found probably in a restored car instead.

Thanks all for the input. It's not over yet, but not looking great.

Best,
Jeff C.

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