[DeTomaso] Multi-Subject, was Ammeter conversion to volts, etc

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/1/06 6:33:05, guido_detomaso at prodigy.net writes:

<< But a voltmeter to me is pretty useless compared to an ammeter, and as

before I recommend a clock to fill the hole if you insist on deleting the

ammeter.

>>>Or perhaps an oil temp gauge if you're a go-fast kind of guy.


>2. Exhaust hangers - Does anyone believe the SAME hangers as come on the car

can be had several for a buck ?  These "just as good" comparisions...what's

the point?  A Taurus isn't a Beretta, is it?

>>>Well, in this particular instance, the Pantera uses Alfa Romeo exhaust 
hangars.  We're talking strictly about the rubber bit, not the upper and lower 
metal clamps.  I have handled the Alfa parts (ordered from International Auto 
Parts), and compared them directly to my 'factory' Pantera parts and they are 
absolutely, completely identical.


3. S2K - Interesting explanation about the reaction pads wearing first,

makes sense to me.  Those shipping blocks being left in, I'd report that to

the NHTSA, seems like a safety issue.  

>>>I'd never heard of 'shipping blocks' in the springs?  Seems like something 
that would be pretty difficult to overlook during dealer prep and subsequent 
servicing?

>What's an S2K go for anyway?  A

grocery cashier locally has one...and I don't !

>>>You don't have the room anyway!


4.  One-wire alternators - Did we not suffer here for lack of agreed-upon

terminology?  To me, a short is to ground, but I understand now that

shorting across the light bulb circuit was the suggestion, not taking that

to ground.  Makes sense now.  Maybe this is an "Old World" / "New World"

thing or possibly a "living in my own world" thing...

>>>Most likely! :>)


>Worse, our "One-wire" alternators have terminals (and possible failure

points) for idiot light and voltage sense ???  I reckon these are all tied

together and to the battery post, then they call it one-wire ?  If the

terminals are there, hook them up to where they belong, it seems to me.

>>>Yes, I'm confused too.  Most one-wire alternators have three terminals 
which are designed to accept a molded plug.  So they can be 'converted' to 
three-wire operation?


5.  Non-bypass oil filters - Don't confuse the bypass pressure, which is

across the filter, with the gauge pressure, which is absolute.  Bypass

should be a fraction of the gauge, yes ?  I know in this case a non-bypass

filter fell into your lap, and you're wondering whether to use it, but in

general, I don't "get" running non-bypass.  It's like saying " I'll starve

the engine for oil when it need oil the most, rather than run some possibly

dirty oil full blast ". 

>>>I fought the same battle with my engine builder, and he finally agreed to 
let me run the Ford FL1-HP, which I still think is the best filter out there.

>Yet I run non-bypass on my truck...long story but

the truck does not see performance type rpm.

>>>Dude, filters are cheap.  Next time you change it, change it.


6. Tire inflator - Just to be clear, I've got one that is a Ford

supersession, and is likely cosmetically different from the original.  

>>>Ah.

>And

as was blabbed to the whole list, the Mustang lives on as the

Mustang/Triumph.

>>>A triumph of design and engineering, that is!


7. This deserves a long speech but I'll cut to chase as best I can.  Both cars

ran when parked but are badly a-moulderin' now.  The length of time it takes

to get either one out of the garage  X ( or, * )  going to events by myself,

the algebra just doesn't wash for me.  

>>>But what about just driving them for the sake of DRIVING them?  Just go up 
into the hills and give 'em some welly?

Last weekend (by request) I took my Cobra to a friend's BBQ which is only 
three blocks from my house.  I wound up giving rides to a bunch of different 
people (ranging from car-guy pilots, to a 9-year-old video game fanatic who'd 
never been in a 'real' car before, to a pair of beautiful Brazilian au pair 
hotties) and put almost a hundred miles on the car just bashing around the country 
roads near my house.  Great fun!

>Truth is, while JC is truly a gold

mine, since I have not handed out any new hybrid cars as baubles, I have not

actually reeled in any new tuna, to mix a metaphor.  This league may well be

beyond my budget...

>>>Well, quite probably.  But at least initially, you could use the Ferrari 
as 'bait'.  It's quite possible that some young thing would be willing to put 
up with you (at least initially) in the hopes that riding around in the Ferrari 
would be the shape of things to come.

Just don't ever let her see your house, or the deal's off. :>)


>Fortunately, recently, I've been able to call in some "action" on my own

position, from overseas, the same gal as some of you met years ago.  Yet

what's going on in the P-world that is sufficiently chick-friendly that I

can consider?  Hanging out with "how the other half lives" on some sizzling

asphalt, waiting for the "loudest exhaust" contest ?  May as well include a

belchin' an' fartin' contest.....As #41 would say, "Nah-Gah-Dah".  

>>>Yes, very true.

>The other

club has many events every month that aren't strictly DudeCentric...and this

one used to.  Or it seems like it used to, maybe my recollections are

through rose-colored glasses, but I sense a downward spiral, and one I

cannot stop even if I chose to volunteer, and I don't.  Though I still think

my "Formation Drive" idea is a winner and chick-tolerable...better than

nothing anyway.

>>>Yes, the Nor-Cal Pantera Club has suffered greatly since we lost our 
designated 'tour leaders' (Mike and Roxanne Fertitta, Jack DeRyke's son-in-law and 
daughter, who moved to Minden along with Jack).  I truly wish somebody would 
take it upon themselves to try to fill their shoes.  

The fall trip down to Paso Robles would probably be a good choice as I think 
it's basically just a casual formation drive to a nice BBQ/weekend getaway.


>8.  As Obi-Wan might say, "Who is the greater fool, the author of this

message, or the one who reads it to the end"? 

>>>Probably the one who chooses to read, analyze and then reply!!! :>)

Mike