Los Alamitos Wine Run www.ocpanteras.com
March 2008
Wine Run on Nov 10 2007. Normal wine runs to Temecula, Napa Valley,
and others throughout the State bring images of a rural setting with precisely
trimmed vines sprinkled among rolling hills needed for proper drainage by every
variety of grape. Larry Montgomery
offered us a highly unusual setting that rivals the one I found in Maui so many
years ago in a very different way. His
find is set in a boundless flatland with rows of asphalt not dark earthy
dirt. Projecting from the land are not
poles to attach the vines in linear stripes but two story buildings of the
industrial type. Oak barrels are not
stacked within caves dug into the hillside.
Instead, stainless steel tanks hold the tasty drink of the Gods for us
to enjoy in air-conditioned splendor.
Larry befriended a jolly vintner whose production is
located in a Los Alamitos industrial park just behind the local Sizzler
Restaurant. The vintner is half my age
and greeted us with the courtesy that one would extend to old friends. The pour set was preset to insure that our
taste buds got the proper message from each and every selected offering. The sequence signaled the full range
expected from any first class winery and yet the modest price belays its award
winning trophies.
Above the testing room was my favorite of the day …
the dining area. Baguettes cleared the
palette of wine as a selection of cheeses added flavor. Bunches of grapes also were too hard to
resist thanks to our host and hostess, Ida.
I must admit, before all, my pension for brie and baguette is
insatiable.
On display for the show was an Alpha that would make
the Graduate drive all the way to San Francisco without stopping. It was parked alongside Bill Wright’s silver
GT40. Panteras were from Larry and Dave
Rudderow (TPOC Prez). And, that famous
Model A pickup by Steve Wilkinson created an uplifting show of its own. A final note was emitted by the departing
GT40 as the sound of tires and revs echoed between the standing buildings.
Each event at TPOC offers us very unique experiences
to parade our cars and share something new with friends. So, step up. Do as Larry did: host an
event for the benefit of all.
Early Ford SB Bell housings It’s really nice to have an
extra ZF box sitting around. It gives
me an opportunity to ask, “What are possible replacements to bolt up to the
ZF?” The simple answer is small block
Ford V8. These include the early 60s 5
bolt 221, 260, and 289ci V8s. Direct replacements are the familiar 6 bolt 289,
302, 351W, and 351C V8s. If I wanted to
consider six-cylinder power, I may select from 240 I6, 300 I6, or the 3.8
RWD/4.2 V6. Once you stop laughing,
consider that the lowly 3.8L was the basis of the supercharged 89-96 T-Bird
Super Coupe with more hp than its V8 brethren including the 4.6 mod. Even the 255 V8 is a direct bolt up. The 400 V8 was also available in 1973. In some full-size Ford, Mercury &
Lincoln products the 400s were cast with the 302 small block bell housing
pattern. It was mated to a FMX transmission like the 351C 74 Cougar I stored
for years, much to Phyllis’ dismay.
These blocks are fairly rare.
The
Mod motor pattern is fairly close to the small block Ford bell housing
pattern. 1991 4.6 blocks and some 92
models were exactly the same as the 5.0/SBF.
The earliest two castings for the 4.6L Mod blocks that were used prior
to late 11/1/91 in Lincolns and 2-18-92 in full size Fords share the 302/351
small block bolt pattern exactly. Casting
numbers are F1AE and F2VE. The change
in bell housing pattern coincided with the changeover from the AOD transmission
to the AOD-E. It resulted in relocating
two larger bolts, hollow dowels, and changing to a three bolt starter. All subsequent Romeo mod blocks beginning
with the F3VE use the AOD-E pattern, and all Windsor mod motors use it. Note that George Peloquin’s Lincoln MK8
engine bolted straight to the ZF bell per Steve Wilkinson.
Bolting
the engine to the ZF transaxle involves much more than just matching
patterns. Issues may arise when
selecting the flywheel/flexplate, clutch, starter, input shaft, pilot bearing
among others. So, I’ll just leave the
ZF there for now.
March Air Museum admission includes a simulator ride, 71
aircrafts, interactive exhibits even see some future technologies. Be sure to ask Bill Wright which plane he
flew. www.marchfield,org for more info. Meet at Donut Derelicts for the run through
the twisty Ortega Hwy. Use your daily
driver if your Pantera is not running.
Las Vegas is once again upon us. So, look
at your POCA newsletter for further details and plan to participate. Bring your car to show at the Fremont
Display or track it at the Speed Trials.
Reminders: from rkunishige@hotmail.com. Please email needed corrections/additions to
me.
Mar 12 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach. 28 members attended the last one
here.
Mar 22 March
Field Air Museum 8am dash from
Donut Derelicts to Riverside to view our heritage & lunch. Make
reservations w/Cindy Harris at skylife@verizon.net
- $10 admission & 15.95 lunch.
Apr 9 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Apr 12 Tech
Session yearly fluid
change at Rod’s 1107 Main HB all day.
Other minor fixes too. Lunch
served.
Apr 13 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Apr 18-20 Long
Beach Grand Prix. Talk
about street racing.
Apr 30-5/3 Las
Vegas Fun Rally & Track Event Register early. See your POCA
Newsletter.
May 4 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
May 10 Villa
Park High School pre-74
show 9-3pm 18042 Taft Ave. Villa Park open 8:00 #30 b4 4/1 else $35 714
771-8543 www.vphscarshow.com
spectators free.
May 14 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Jun Reno-Tahoe
Fun Rally is not likely
to be scheduled this year. Let’s wait
for further info.
Jun HB
Concours support the children’s library and show your
car for everyone.
Jun 8 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Jun 11 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Jun 14 TPOC
Swap Meet at Bud Williams’ garage 9am-2pm 2950 E.
Coronado St. Anaheim. Bring your stuff
to sell or bring cash to purchase goodies.
Sandwiches and sodas provided.
See Bud’s complete collection.
It goes well beyond that shown in POCA’s article. I want a ride in the
Sunbeam Tiger.
Jul 4-13 Le
Mans Tour How’s your
French?
Jul 6 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Jul 9 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Aug 10 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Aug 13 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Aug 15-17 Monterey
Concorso Itialiano Black
Horse Golf check with PI. Sign up
now. Rooms are limited.
Sep Belmont
Shore
Sep 10 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Sep 14 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Oct 08 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Oct 12 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Nov 12 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Nov Willow
Springs Open Track sponsored by Jim Saxton 626 285-2024.
Dec Christmas
Party
Dec 27 Gondola Ride
Willow Springs hosted by Jim & Cherie Saxton’s West Coast Racing in conjunction
with both Pantera and Ferrari clubs give you the chance to take your car on the
world famous high speed track. Street
cars abound as the Novice group makes full use of the free instructors to show
the best line to take on each corner.
They also advise you on the techniques to gain full control of your car
while extracting the most from its features.
Remember that there are four run groups based on your experience and two
days packed with lessons to help understand your car’s limits and at the same
time improve your driving skills. Come
out to participate or watch the excitement. (Cherie prepares a free lunch for TPOC members.)
Events are an essential part of the club’s wellbeing. Please consider hosting one of your
choosing. The key is to bring
like-minded people together for some fun.
Contact Dave with your idea and let’s schedule it up for this year. It would be a special treat if some of the
ladies would come up with an idea or more.
I know that I sometimes get stuck in a rut and can’t seem to get those
wheels in my mind spinning in a new direction.
Simply, I am asking you, ladies, for directions.
Meeting Site Sought that will draw more members to attend. If
you know of a place that can accommodate us, please speak up. Our intent is to have easy parking, good
food, separate room to conduct the meeting, individual billing to free up those
who need to leave early and a locale better suited for the majority of
members. Talk to Dave.