Preparing the Pantera for first race, check list?

MacMan, are you going to Willow springs this weekend, and are you driving the Pantera, I will taking mine out to support Matt, and give my new motor a work out.
Dennis
daleyracing@aol.com

I'm going to go, but I don't think I'm gonna drive the Pantera up. I have yet to take the Pantera on really long drive. The autocross in San Diego will be a good 1.5 hour test. I'll probably show up with the Z06.

Great looking motor! Can't wait to see it!

MacMan
Don't forget the heater hose knife valves and that the coolant catch can overflow line needs to be dumping behind the rear wheels ........Most places won't let you on the track without these basics. To augment your fire suit try the new material called CarbonX underwear......better than good stuff and it breaths...but it only comes in Gun Fighter Black.

Regards..............Jersey Doug #6434

Chris,

I thought I'd answer your question about the camber lock.

It's for the upper front ball joints which are mounted in the control arms in such a way so as to allow horizontal sliding adjustment (left to right). This is the manufacturer's provision for adjusting camber. The camber adjustment is secured by the clamping force of 2 bolts.

Apparently there have been instances in which the camber adjustment has shifted on an owner when smacking something with the front wheel. So a vendor has manufactured this plate with an adjusting screw so that there is more than just the clamping force of 2 bolts securing the camber adjustment. It also looks to me that the camber lock would make fine adjustments in camber much easier to perform.

I would advise you to run without it until you discover you need it. A better investment at this time would be a good camber/caster gage, such as the one sold by Longacre. This will allow you to monitor your settings & adjust them at track side. Other track side tools for maintaining the tires are toe plates, a tire pyrometer, a good tire pressure gage, a lightweight jack and a portable air compressor. (some guys run dry nitrogen in their tires because this maintains the pressure settings more accurately when the tires heat up)

http://www.longacreracing.com/

You may want to consider cleaning & re-greasing the front wheel bearings, then adjusting them a bit on the snug side (no play). Eventually you'll need to address the rear wheel bearing issue, my advice being to replace the bearings & install billet axles. No need to modify your uprights. You'll want to rebuild the steering rack, replacing the plastic bushing with the bronze replacement, and new, tight, tie rod ends.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you, when it comes to competition, it's tires, tires & tires. Hence my recommendation about the alignment tools.

So good luck, have fun & don't hurt yourself or your bitchen Pantera.

your friend on the PIBB, George

quote:

Originally posted by QQPursuit:
MacMan
Don't forget the heater hose knife valves and that the coolant catch can overflow line needs to be dumping behind the rear wheels ........Most places won't let you on the track without these basics. To augment your fire suit try the new material called CarbonX underwear......better than good stuff and it breaths...but it only comes in Gun Fighter Black.

Regards..............Jersey Doug #6434

I don't have any heater hoses right now, so that's not an issue. lol But the overflow line is. Sounds like a good idea, on or off the track. I'll take a look at it this weekend. Thanks for the reminder.

quote:

Originally posted by george pence:
I would advise you to run without it until you discover you need it...

Sounds like good advice. It's good to understand how the camber locks work and why they were created.

Be sure and check your rear axles and front bearings for wear. Both would be bad news if they went out at an inopportune time.


Good luck!

I found this link last year.
http://www.geocities.com/pantera_trax/Pantera_Racing_Prep_1.html

Rich

One thing to be aware of if you're autocrossing a Pantera for the first time. Your head will be about at the level of the top of the cones. If you're used to driving another car, everything looks very different from a Pantera compared to most other cars. It's very difficult to look ahead and see the course. The lack of power steering and big front tires will surprise you too if you're used to something else. Will you be in a stock class? Vince

Nope. Won't be in the stock class, I'm sure. Actually, it's a practice, so I won't be in a class at all, just a run group.

Hadn't thought about the cones. That's pretty funny. But I figure if the guys in the shifter carts can handle it, I'll be able to manage.

No power steering will certainly be interesting.

No problem. Steer with your right foot. Maybe not the fastest way around, but lots of fun and looks cool too! Great when your arms are tired from all the jacking and adjusting.

Macman....... One other thing I've done for mine (so as to keep stock looking for shows...etc) was to replace the drivers seat track system (which also lowered it) with an aluminum plate. Then for AutoX I swap the Pantera seat for a Corbeau Forza and a 4pt belt system........all in about 5minutes. (because 1st time in AutoX with stock seat and 3pt did squat to keep me in place).

I also went with that because in the regular seat, and wearing a helmet, I'd hit the roof.

kaamacat, are you running a roll cage?

Errraa Erraa......MacMan I almost forgot the best pearl of wisdom....Don't forget to bring the cell phone and the AAA "Plus" card. For, what is it, 75 bucks these guys will flat bed you anywhere within a 100 mile radius. Gotta be the best bang for the Street car Racer man's dollar on the Planet. I have not had the need to use it.....but I always carry it with me when I am on the track. Regards....Jersey Doug # 6434 QQPursuit

hahah, yeah, I hear ya. I think I'm the last man on Earth who doesn't have a cell phone.