Ford V8 Autopsy From De Tomaso Pantera Is Painful To Watch

While the cause of the piston corrosion wasn’t mentioned in the video, it is believed that lead deposits could lead to these damages, especially when running lean. Lead was used in gasoline, particularly high-octane gas, until 1986, when it was banned entirely.

Rounding up the teardown project was the removal of the caps, crankshaft, and camshafts, as well as disassembling the cylinder head, which, by the way, had lots of nasty crud and rust.

According to David, the engine will be rebuilt and returned to the Pantera. When that day comes, the sports car will once again hit the road with its exquisite Italian aesthetics along with the roaring V8 sound, much like its contemporary successor, the De Tomaso P72, powered by Ford’s Coyote V8.