Details from the underbody

[whpaul]

Hello TBird friends,

may be someone out there can give the following information?

While I work on the underbody I fond at four positions the plates as you see at the attached picture.
When I disconnected the screw and plate I found four oval holes.

I think that there is something missing and that what I found is only another bad handcraft solution.

Can someone tell me how that detail should look like?

Thanks for reply

whpaul

[GTE427]

This looks like an anchor stud, plate and bolt that was used for seat belts at that point in time. Thought I wouldn't expect to see a slot when this is removed, most likely just a hole.

I'm not sure where this is positioned looking at the pictures, you be the judge.

[Dan Leavens]

Wolfgang as Ken mentioned, it is difficult to view from the picture angle. What part of the underside is the picture taken?? Front, middle or back?? It almost looks like a cradle strap similar to the European cars and like my wife's MGB. Please let us know.

[whpaul]

Underbody detail

Hello Dan,
Hello Ken,

here is hopefully a better picture!

whpaul

[Dan Leavens]

Wolfgang I am sorry, as I still at a loss but I am not up to speed on the 61-63.. Dave ( Simplyconnected ) can you shed any light on this subject??

[simplyconnected]

These are not factory holes. They were made with a holesaw at least one inch in diameter. GTE427 is on the right track, but a factory seat belt bolt is 1/2", and it would swim in this hole. If belts were installed, why would anyone remove them?

The closest I can guess is this:
Wolfgang's car was restored in the past, maybe because it was raced. (His transmission was brazed and re-installed.) The body was probably mounted on a fixture which required large anchor holes at the lowest points of the floor pans. After completion, they simply plugged the holes with small screws and large washers.

These holes run along his rocker panels at the farthest outboard, and lowest point of the floorpan. Perfect for mounting an angle iron cross piece to lift and manipulate the body. That's my guess. - Dave

[Alan H. Tast, AIA]

Front floor pans did have a hole in the location shown in the photos, exact size I'd have to measure but believe it was around 3/4", possibly 1"? This allowed primer to drain from inside the body when it was removed from the primer dunk tank. A metal plug with a retaining tab was then installed, with the tab knocked flat to lock the plug in place, then sealed shut before painting was done. What I'm seeing is someone's attempt to fill the factory hole without use of the original plug.

[simplyconnected]

What I'm seeing is someone's attempt to fill the factory hole without use of the original plug.

What I'm seeing is a ragged ROUND hole that is folded over from a saw punching through. Die holes are much cleaner, and they don't go through more than one layer of metal.



Notice the locations of these mounting holes. (This happens to be a Camaro/Firebird.) That's how rotisseries mount. Look familiar? - Dave

[Dan Leavens]

Dave / Alan: Thanks for your explanations.

[whpaul]

Details from the underbody..........

Hello,

thank you for your input, I think it is the best to close that holes by welding in round plates, welding we do now anywhere!


whpaul