Pantera parts ! (Page 71/75)
Bloozberry NOV 07, 04:03 PM
Looks like you're doing a great job. I'd like to point out one thing that might interest you. A number of years ago I installed an oil cooler in my 308 replica that looked just like the one you have pictured. After about two years one of the inlet pipes fatigue failed, which then sprayed engine oil onto my exhaust system and caught fire. I would have lost the entire car if it weren't for the fact that the fire dept was in the vicinity when it happened. It still caused over $16K in damage. I can look up the manufacturer of the one I bought if it interests you, but the point I wanted to make is that you should make sure you mount the cooler in such a way that you can inspect it on a semi-regular basis.
Fastfocusguy NOV 07, 05:28 PM
Thank you for the 'heads up', Bloozberry!
The brand name of my cooler kit is Derale. ( hoping yours was not )
Either way, You have given me three excellent ideas !
1. - Have a good quality Automotive Fire Extinguisher mounted in the cockpit in an easy to reach location!
2. - Add some mounting points close to the cooler inlet & outlet where the hose assembly will be clamped and supported.

In theory if I support the hoses well enough, that will drastically reduce the movement, and in turn, minimize fatigue of the pipes where the enter the cooler.
3. - Have an easy to remove "hatch cover" over the cooler area for "pre-flight inspection" as well as Fast and Easy access if said fire extinguisher is ever needed !

For what it is worth, my cooler sort of " Floats " in the mounting blocks since the notches in said blocks are lined with felt
so that free floating will also hopefully help minimize stresses on the inlet and outlet pipes - I hope !

:S

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Love my Fiero-Pantera !!

[This message has been edited by Fastfocusguy (edited 11-07-2012).]

Fastfocusguy NOV 08, 03:51 PM
I did my testing last night with a regulator and air hose connected to the package in the photo above,
and then wired the Napa sender to the Veglia gauge. Napa part number is OP6091 ( brand is ECH )
Mixed results I guess -

From zero to ten psi the sender remains an open circuit, so no gauge reading until 10 psi is achieved. ( goofy )

but -

when the Pantera Gauge showed 17.5 psi, the mechanical air gauge on my regulator was showing 15 psi
when the Pantera Gauge showed 35.0 psi, the mechanical air gauge on my regulator was showing 30 psi
when the Pantera Gauge showed 52.5 psi, the mechanical air gauge on my regulator was showing 58 psi
when the Pantera Gauge showed 70.0 psi, the mechanical air gauge on my regulator was showing 94 psi

all readings relative, since the mechanical gauge is probably not super accurate either ! ! !










But as long as I am aware of these limitations, then I can decipher my gauge fairly well
and I will have my trusty red idiot light to back it up,
and best of all, my Vintage Antique Pantera Gauge will be functional !
Fastfocusguy NOV 09, 11:26 PM
minor topic shift !
Going back a few posts to the photos showing all the little gauges in the new/used center console panel - - -

Today the mail-carrier delivered the new upholstery for the center console !

Carefully chosen to match the leather seat upholstery I am planning to order from Mister Mike's ! ! !

Somewhere a Cow is shivering in the cold ! ( Lol )

is it just me, or does real leather have the most wonderful aroma ? ? ?
Fastfocusguy DEC 07, 02:11 PM
Okay - we had a few warm days last month, and some progress was made !

first I welded the two long threaded studs to my little home-made mounting bracket - - - -





Then the oil senders "package" and the new bracket were bolted into the Car !







next I need to 'extend' the wiring harness so the connector for the Fiero oil sender
will be long enough to reach its new location!

Then I will need to make up wiring harness from scratch to connect the two Pantera
senders to the dashboard quadrant -

But once the sender pack was properly connected to the oil tube,
I was able to fire her up and check for oil leaks
since the cooler connections, sandwich adapter, and pressure sender plumbing is all new,
there were a few moments of tension when I first cranked her up.

but the Force was with us, and no drips were detected from any of the new connections !!

Fastfocusguy SEP 10, 05:43 PM
Ebay has now provided me with the much desired OEM Pantera dashboard ! :O

wonder how well or how poorly it will fit in a 1985 Fiero ? ? ?

Wish me luck ! ! !

UPDATE : I had to trim 1.5 inches off each end of the pantera dash to make it fit the fiero -

now I must mate it up with the front edge of the fiero dash, to make a perfect fit !

[This message has been edited by Fastfocusguy (edited 01-08-2014).]

Fastfocusguy JAN 08, 01:57 PM
Anyone know where OPM2000 is gotten off to ? He does not reply to email , nor will he answer his telephone ?
I need to get my dashboard and center console from him, but can not reach him.
Blackrams, have you any info to share ? ? ?
I have also tried his email but it comes back as undeliverable ?!?!
Any recommendations or suggestions ?

[This message has been edited by Fastfocusguy (edited 01-21-2014).]

Fastfocusguy FEB 18, 03:03 PM
I am also re upholstering my fiero seats with leathers from Mr. Mikes !
black bolsters, with red insterts to match planned paint job !
The new covers also have the De Tomaso Isis logo embroidered into
them, right about where my shoulder blades touch the seat.

[This message has been edited by Fastfocusguy (edited 02-18-2014).]

Diamond Dave MAR 02, 04:30 AM
Fastfocusguy. I have a few questions. I hope you don't take the wrong way. I love what you are doing. I had a choice one time to buy a brand new Pantera or a new 900Z1 Kawasaki, a Gt 500 67 Mustang Shelby, and a kick high end custom stereo with Sansui speakers. I sidewas 19. The later 3 won out for less money. No real regrets except the Shelby is gone. . Anyway just a few questions. Since the fiero is not a wide as the pantera, when you follow the fairly flat side body panels why did you not flair the wheels wells innthe beginning? Are you planning that upgrade to your future builds offered. Also I was wondering why you didn't use plastic for you oil radiator mounting blocks as the wood ones won't last long and will be sloppy soon? They can print these now out of good materials. Don't think they would cost much. Again man great idea. I love the looks of that car.

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Diamond Dave

84 Enterra the only one
88 Formula

JayinMI MAR 02, 07:55 AM

quote
Originally posted by Diamond Dave:
Also I was wondering why you didn't use plastic for you oil radiator mounting blocks as the wood ones won't last long and will be sloppy soon? They can print these now out of good materials. Don't think they would cost much. Again man great idea. I love the looks of that car.




I had emailed him some time ago in regards to the same thing. I had suggested using King Starboard, as it is pretty easy to work with using normal wood working tools. I pointed him to a guy on eBay (Acesany - Cesany Plastics) who sells it in smaller sections up to 1.5" thick and in various colors (including Red, IIRC)
Jay