passenger seat..waht can i do about it

That particular problem is present on all models, all years of Pantera. Actually that's not true - the 38 Pantera 2's or Pantera Si cars of the 90's had a flat firewall. The problem is caused by the fact that part of the engine - alternator, et al, intrude somewhat into the cabin.

If this really bothers you, then the vendors offer a flat firewall kit, which repositions the (smaller) alternator and includes a flat bulkhead panel. As you'll be in the driver's seat, it really comes down to who will be in the passenger seat most of the time!

Summary - if you want a flat firewall there, there are ways to do it, but it isn't real cheap...

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Charlie McCall
1985 DeTomaso Pantera GT5-S #9375
"Raising Pantera Awareness across Europe"
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/gt5s_1985

As Charlie stated in his post this condition is present in all years the Pantera was produced. Kirk Evans from Amerisport solved this concern and has supplied the vendors with the new bulkhead metal cover, trim cover, new style alternator bracket that moves the alternator to the right and lower onto the engine. When and if you purchase a Pantera contact Pantera East for this conversion kit and I promise that you and your passenger will me satisfied. I have this conversion on my Pantera and the Wife loves the improvement, she can recline the seat and enjoy the drive.

Doesn't this only flat'n half of the "buldge". I thought the water pump pulley also is in the way?

Thanks, anybody got pictures?

Both seating positions are off. If you notice, the driver is not centered and aligned with foot pedals, the passenger issue never meaningfully changes. In essence you are discovering a few of the engineering and design screw ups on an otherwise beautiful car. Just have small passengers.

The so-called "flat firewall" mod removes that part of the bulge that is around the alternator and which interferes with the left side of the passemger seat back.The waterpump bulge will still be there unless you go to extreme measures such as repositioning te emntire powertrain with custom mounts. Otherwise, a truly "flat" firewall requires an engine change to a shorter engine. Currently, the 4.6-5.4 SOHC and DOHC Ford./Lincoln engines and the 302 crate engine will allow this. The 302 pushrod can be bored & stroked to 347 cubic inches so the torque is quite similar to the stock Clevelands. THere are many pitfalls with this change so I'd simply select your passengers or do the alternator mod. I did this years ago with no problems to date; I'm 6'2" and I'm comfortable on 8-hr runs with my wife driving.