[DeTomaso] Engine Screen Needed

[Mark Tumbarello]

Mine is indeed an all mesh screen with no raised center section. It has an angle iron frame on three sides with flat stock iron section on the front that slips into a sheet metal groove on the fire wall as do the side sections. The fasteners have been changed to machine screws as studs and wing nuts that hold the screen down. (probably not stock) My car is #4665 Nov. 72 build all pre L components early interior with 2 pod dash, gas fill in engine compartment, but has L bumpers and attached front signal pods.  Mark 


From: MikeLDrew at aol.comDate: Thu, 2 Aug 2007 21:04:03 -0400Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Engine Screen NeededTo: ollerabmut at msn.com; daniel.c.jones2 at gmail.com; detomaso at realbig.comIn a message dated 8/2/07 17 36 25, ollerabmut at msn.com writes:
You can run the blue thunder intake with holley carb and a 1-1/2 inch dropped base air cleaner with a I think 2-3/4 inch element under the stock early screen. Thats how I ran my last set up with one of the stepped Mr gasket chrome tops. Other tops may fit different. I now am using a Weiand Excellerator 2v port matched to edlebrock heads and cut flat with holley carb and the same 1-1/2 inch drop base with a 3 inch K&N element and a K&N element open top under the stock early screen. It can be done you just have to take the time to measure and mix and match.Mark,I'm pretty certain that you have a later screen.  The early screens were shaped differently, and a different length front-to-back, and had a lower profile.  In fact, there were five different screens (!) according to the Ford parts book, while the De Tomaso parts book only lists four variations.Your car is later than mine, and mine came to me with what appears to be an early-style screen with a later-style center section grafted onto it?  It is held to the side pieces with small sheetmetal screws from above.  The late screen has a solid center section, which is raised in the front (or more accurately, where the rest of the screen turns down towards the ground, the solid center extends forward somewhat), and is held in place with Dzus fasteners instead of screws--what kind do you have?.The early-style screen has a lip on the front edge which engages a sheetmetal groove on the back of the crossmember under the window.  The late car screens just turn down towards the ground in front, and are only held in place with the Dzus fasteners on each side.The intermediate screen is mounted in that style, while the early EARLY screens are just mesh screen, with no center section.  The first-gen all-mesh screens were used on cars through about March of 1972. (through serial number 2002); the Ford parts book shows another part number for 4840 through 5001, and yet another one for cars after 5001 with the external fuel filler.FWIW....Mike**************************************Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL at http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour