Reawakening a Pantera

I just bought a 74 with 17,000 miles on it. Here is my to do list.
1. Pull engine and transaxle.
2. Remove gas tank with rust in it so it can be cleaned.
3. Recore leaky radiator.
4. Replace all radiator hoses, A/C hoses, vacuum lines, fuel hoses and belts.
5. Clean and paint in engine compartment so it looks like new.
6. Rebuild heads with new valves, keepers and seals.
7. Replace the timing gears and chain with new gears and double roller chain.
8. Replace front and rear main seals.
9. Clean out engine pan.
10. Replace the water pump with a Flowkooler pump.
11. Replace the freeze plugs.
12. Put in an electronic ignition and new plug wires and plugs.
13. Replace the thermostat.
14. Replace the A/C compressor with a rotary style one that uses R 134.
15. Replace clutch slave cylinder.
16. Replace the rubber in the motor mounts.

I would also check the brake cylinders and the clutch master cylinder. Check the ZF for safety wire on the ring gear. Check all the rubber suspension parts.
I basically asked the same question. Check in the technical questions section under originator "oldcars". Good luck. Keith

Don't forget to change All of your brake fluid too! Mine hasen't run for 26 years, and I'm driving it around town now. I did most everything on the list including the clutch master cylinder. It may take a while, but you'll get hooked on driving the car as I did. Good luck!

You should just replace the radiator with a lay down type, you'll be better off. Fluidyne or Ron Davis.

Maybe a 10 qt oil pan as well....

This sounds like a great find. If it is running good, here's what I would do with a $5000 budget. Safety and reliability first. Don't get carried away until you decide what your long term plan for the car is.

Check out the Pantera Place for help.

Replace all hoses, including the ones under the dash for the heater. The stock radiator is more than adequate provided it is not leaking. If it is, just get it repaired. If it's not over heating, fine. Otherwise, I'd check to make sure the fans are operating properly or I'd add upgraded fans. Longer term, consider adding the headlight and radiator fans relay upgrade. See Pantera Place for info. While you're at it, I'd replace fuel line hoses and filter and the vacuum line hoses for the brakes. Hoses are cheap insurance.

If AC is important right away, you might as well replace the AC lines since you will have that all apart anyway. This can wait, however until later, especially if AC is adequate after it is recharged.

Flush the brake and clutch fluid. If the brakes feel okay, fine. If not, rebuild the brakes. The pistons get sticky from sitting unused. Also upgrade to braided stainless steel brake lines at each wheel. Porterfield Rs4 pads make a tremendous improvement in the brakes without spending a fortune.

With the wheels off the ground check the front end for play. You may need to replace the bushing to the steering rack. Bearings and ball joints s/b okay on a low mileage car.

Check the Ammeter to make sure everything is tight on the back. See the Pantera Place for directions on this.

Replace the belts on the front of the engine.

If the car sat that long, you may need to rebuild the carb and change the plug wires. Or if you have bigger plans for the engine, this might wait if it runs okay.

Add a second ground strap to the front of the engine.

Make sure the water drain holes have been drilled at the bottom of the rear suspension braces, and at the bottom of the rocker panels under the A and B pillars.

Make sure the rear suspension moves easily, especially the outer lower A arm pivot. These can rust solid.

Replace the tires. Consider your long term plan when doing this.

Get the paint buffed and then waxed. It's single stage so it may shine up nicely for the short term.

Have fun!

Man, this is like a contest for who can be the most help! So appreciative.

Does my late VIN 74 have any of the 'upgrades' mentioned thus far? (Drain holes, power window improvement, headlight upgrade.)

Since I've decided to keep the wheels as 'originals', does anyone have a 'favorite' 15" performance tire?

Other than that, I am thrilled at the input. Thanks again,

All of Jeff6559's suggestions are excellent. That's about all you need to do to begin driving and enjoying it. And, as Jeff mentioned, it depends on your long term plans.

Here are the best fixes you can do for under $20.
http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/best_fixes.htm

Since your car is a 74, it likely has the drain holes already, but verify they're there. If not, drill them yourself.

The Power window and headlight improvement/upgrades referred to were the installation of a relay kit, which takes the electrical load off the switches. Your car will not have this from the factory. It is possible that a previous owner did this, but not likely given the lack of use/attention the car received.

There are very few 15" (almost none) "performance" tires in the correct width necessary to look good on the back of the Pantera. Take a look at the following options:

Original Pantera Tire Size:
front: C60V-15 (23 1/2" diameter) - Modern equivalent: 215/60-15*
rear : H60V-15 (26 1/2" diameter) - Modern equivalent: 255/60-15*
* According to Tirerack conversion chart



Hankook Ventus
front: HRII H405 205/50-15 H-rated $57ea overall diameter 2" less than stock
http://www.discounttiredirect.com/direct/findTireDetail...d=15&ar=50&tc=HANHV3
front: K106 205/55-15 V-rated $73ea overall diameter 1.28" less than stock (no longer avail?)
rear : RH06 295/50-15 V-rated $144ea overall diameter .4" less than stock
http://www.1010tires.com/tire.asp?tirebrand=Hankook&tiremodel=Ventus+ST+RH06

Toyo Proxes
front: Proxes 4 225/50-15 V-rated $79ea overall diameter 1.3" less than stock
http://www.ec-securehost.com/OnlineTires.com/Toyo_Proxes_4.html
rear : Proxes ST 295/50-15 H-rated $104ea overall diameter .4" less than stock
http://www.ec-securehost.com/OnlineTires.com/Toyo_ST.html#ToyoST

I started a list of tires for stock wheels here:
http://www.banzairunnerpantera.com/tech_info_tires15.htm

But, tire availability seems to change regularly, so when you find what you're looking for, buy them right away.

Ok, that's all for now.

Cheers!
Garth

Many thanks again. The Proxess appear to be the best of all factors. Any other contenders folks?

BTW, the "fixes" were priceless.

With oem 7" wide front wheel & 8" wide rear wheels, I would recommend 205/60R15 or 215/60R15 front tires & 255/60R15 rear tires.

A popular upgrade, originated by the factory for the GTS models, was to move the 8" wide rear wheels to the front, and install 10" wide wheels in the rear. With these wider wheels you can fit the 225/50R15 front tires and 295/50R15 rear tires. You'll find the 225/50R15 front tires readily available in high speed ratings, but the 295/50R15 rear tires are not, the H rated Toyos are probably the best you'll find at this time.

I've heard rumors that Pirelli was going to re-mold some of its more popular old tires, but so far I haven't seen any verification. The GTS Panteras were originally fitted with 225/50VR15 and 285/50VR15 Pirelli P7's.

In general terms, the Pantera's front tires should be between 24" & 25" OD, and the rear tires between 26" and 27" OD.

cowboy from hell

Be aware that when cleaning out rusted gas tanks that many of the sealers won't stand up to ethanol fuels. One of the few that does is Red Kote by Damon. It seals small holes as well as encapsulates and stops the rust (at least that's what they say) They say it takes 2 quarts to seal a 20 gallon tank but I had a lot left over and I think that it can be done with 1 quart. Flushing the tank with muriatic acid will clean out the rust but leaves a white powder like film. I don't know if this will affect the gas so if you do acid the tank, you should seal it afterwards to be safe.

I've got one of the last '74's. S/N 7195. I drilled the drain holes after buying it in Y2K.

Well, shucks. I had wandered down the route toward 295/50 rear tires, but will reel myself in to the 255/60s... UNLESS some beneveloent PI'er is wanting to offer some original 10" rears for adoption.

BTW, CAT7195, looks like I'll be drilling too: I've got 7059. Thanks for the info.

Adams,

the 10" Campy's sell on e-bay all the time, I'll keep you in mind when I see a set go for sale.

My Pantera was equipped with Wilwood aftermarket brakes when I purchased it, so the 15" Campy's don't fit, otherwise I'd be runnng the 15x8 and 15x10 Campy's myself.

George

quote:

Originally posted by george pence:
With oem 7" wide front wheel & 8" wide rear wheels, I would recommend 205/60R15 or 215/60R15 front tires & 255/60R15 rear tires.

Check the tire manufacturer's specs for the tire. The Toyo Proxes ST specs state the P295/50R15 105H size can be used on a rim width range of 8.0"-9.5"-10.0"

So, your fine with the 8" rear wheels. The key is to have a local shop mount one on your wheel to see if you like how it looks, understanding that the sidewall will look a bit balooned rather than vertical (which is the fashion these days on low profile tires).

Cheers!
Garth

To respond in all humility,

Vertical sidewalls are not a modern "styling" statement, or a matter of taste. It is an engineering consideration. No manufacturer has ever equipped their vehicle with a tire/wheel package with "ballooning" sidewalls. In general terms the tread width of a tire should never exceed the distance between the beads of a wheel. Consider DeTomaso's rear tire/wheel choices for the Pantera:

Tire size...........wheel width

215/70VR15..........8"
285/50VR15..........10"
345/35VR15..........13"
335/35VR17..........12"

George

Hudson,

My 74 did not run very good at first, it sat for a while also. I first rebuilt the Holley then replaced the Mallory with a MSD box, dist, tack adaptor and wires. Next was the alternator, regulator and solinoid. I wanted to start fresh with electrical stuff to hopefully stop any future gremlins. Next was the head light wiring. Then once I could drive it the temp was giving me problems so I replace the stock radiator with the laydown Fluidyne and 2 sucker fans with releys. All was good untill 2 lifters went south. I replaced them all then the clutch went. I just about got the clutch in (see my post today) All this is around $2500...

good luck

This page “The sleeping Pantera awakens!” page on Pantera Place might be helpful http://www.panteraplace.com/page78.htm

Mike

Sorry I'd been away from these past two posts.

74LQQKR that was great info. I'm going to see the car this Sunday with my son, then delivering to Roush if the sale goes through (I just need to make sure it is as represented; feel about 98% there.) I'm printing out your list to give to the Roush folks.

PanteraPlace.com that article hit me right too. I hope I get off that easy! Thanks so much, all.