ZF Check Oil Level

It would not be appropriate to remove the elbow.  I think the elbow was only done on some of the early cars and those were all ZF-1.  In the past I had a 71 (not Pushbutton) that had a ZF-1 as well but it did not have the dipstick.  I think the dip stick slightly overfills the ZF-1.  As Larry, Simon, and others suggest, it is best to simply fill to the bottom of the side plug.

Point well taken. But didn't the dash 1 take less fluid, not more? If so, if the dipstick was only used on a dash 1, following its lines shouldn't overfill the trans, but the reverse would be the case..
I pulled my side plug and it looks like it was modified. I'll forward the photo shortly.
Has anyone found the dipstick on a dash 2?
I'm still looking for the level line measurement if anyone can provide.

> On 01/09/2022 10:27 AM The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:
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Steve,

Since you seem to be the only one with a dipstick, Bosswrench remembers the elbow being threaded into the trans. Can you confirm? I also presume you have a dash 1.

Steve,

John's photo shows a threaded elbow. Does your look like that?

...Pantera on Level Ground, 90 Degree Elbow in place, Fill Lube until 'Thin' Puddle Remains at bottom of the Elbow, replace Cap. End of Story !!

...Or, if You still don't get it...Over-Fill the Elbow Slightly, Temporarily turn Elbow Sideways/Downward and allow Excess to drain out. Return Elbow to upright position, replace cap.  Job Done!

NO Elbow? Just over-fill SLIGHTLY and let any excess dribble-out the SIDE Hole (-2). When draining has finished replace the Plug*. Always, with the Pantera On LEVEL Ground! And, You must know, Most All Garage Floors are NOT Level...they Slant-Down, Towards the Street!

Dipstick?? You'll Never know where you started, so you'll never know where you end-up. STOP making 'Problems' out of something Simple!! GO with Positive answers...Listen to Larry!

* I always use 'Teflon Tape', but be sure to Never Over-Tighten. You'll crack the Case!

MJ

Thank you Marlinjack.

> On 01/09/2022 1:33 PM The De Tomaso Forums <alerts@crowdstack.com> wrote:
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There is NO VOLUME CHECK. If the dipstick {either type) shows wet on the end, you're good.

@judgepaul posted:

Steve,

Since you seem to be the only one with a dipstick, Bosswrench remembers the elbow being threaded into the trans. Can you confirm? I also presume you have a dash1?

Having overhauled over 300 ZF transaxles, I have seen several -2 s with dipstick tubes. Not sure if they were from cars that were originally equipped with -1s and were changed over when the trans was replaced ,but definitely there.

I'll check tomorrow to see if I may have a spare that I could sell you if you would like?

Ron

Ron,

Have you maybe a Dash 1 spare transaxle  for sale ?

was looking for my PB project , also will consider for trade with a Dash2 .

Simon

Ron,

Thank you for the clarification ... and the civility.

Filling 80W90 lube (with anti-slip additive) to the bottom of the side hole is the way ZF says to do in all their manuals. I find that system to be sloppy with a flexible funnel, which is why I rigged up my adaption of the elbow/dipstick. As I mentioned, a few oz more or less is just fine. You'll get that much variance with chassis stance from excruciatingly-level.. Don't worry about it.

The lube is so thick at room temp, you'll get some drainage every time you pull the plug. And way-too-much is self-regulating thru the top vent hose. But it would take a massive mis-measurement to overflow out the top, even when hot & expanded!

Ron,

Thank you for the offer, and yes, I would be interested in purchasing the dipstick.

Bosswrench,

Out of curiousity, do the ZF manuals specify the side hole being used for measuring when the trans is upside down?

That side plug hole can be used for filling but not gauging lube in Mangusta or GT-40 ZFs.  Per the illustration in the ZF Shop Manual, the dash-zero (GT-40) and dash-1 (Mangusta) ZFs have a 6" or 7" long dipstick ass'y (ZF p/n 105) built into their unique top cover (similar to a bottom cover in an inverted diff dash-2 ZF). The dipstick is also the ZF breather. The same threaded dipstick hole in the top cover can also be used to fill those ZFs (slowly, with a small funnel), using the dipstick to gauge the fill to its top mark. Those 50-yr-old dipsticks are NLA as well as the little side-elbow mounted ones.

72-pg illustrated ZF Manual reprints covering all ZFs are available reasonably priced from all the vendors, or from the POCA Archives. All owners should have a copy. Service intervals are listed.

@simon posted:

Ron,

Have you maybe a Dash 1 spare transaxle  for sale ?

was looking for my PB project , also will consider for trade with a Dash2 .

Simon

Simon,

Sadly ,no. I don't.

Ron

@rmccall posted:

Simon,

Sadly ,no. I don't.

Ron

Ron, thanks for the quick reply , if you into the future konws one please let me know .

regards

Simon

Simon, because there never were many early Pantera (300?) or Mangusta (402?) ZFs, they are rare as can be. Virtually all internal parts DO NOT INTERCHANGE with much more numerous dash-2 ZFs. Synchros, bearing sizes, gear ratios, limited slip & the diff design are all completely different. Parts are rarer- even Lloyd Butfoy at RBT Transmissions has very few spares. Many are snatched up by continuation GT-40 owners, who are now forced to use converted dash-2 ZFs in their million-dollar cars. This Forum is a good source. Good luck-

Bosswrench , thanks.

Into the past I have seen a few, also on later cars , maybe I find a Dash 1 or somebody want to trade for a Dash2 .

Simon

The ZF manual shows the side-mount elbow / dipstick as their part, not some DeTomaso factory thing.  The manual also shows assemblies without the use of this part.  Just like different configurations with the top "drain plug" as ZF calls it (fill plug)  and without.

The manual being for the 5 DS-25 and 5 DS-25/2