[DeTomaso] Chassis Drain Holes

[Garth Rodericks]

Thanks Jack! 

Bill Taylor sent me a copy of your excellent article with the illustration of 
where the drain holes should be drilled. It's exactly what I need, and the 
illustration adds nicely compliments your description below. I already have 
drain holes in the horseshoe, but wanted to verify that I have the appropriate 
(number & size) drain holes in the lower frame rails too.

Thanks!
Garth





________________________________
From: "JDeRyke at aol.com" <JDeRyke at aol.com>
To: garth_rodericks at yahoo.com; detomaso at realbig.com
Sent: Sun, July 18, 2010 10:37:44 PM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Chassis Drain Holes

There's no tightly defined place to drill the drain holes. Starting from the 
bellhousing area, drill three (or more) 1/2" dia holes, more-or-less equally 
spaced along the lower rear frame rails. Also drill a 3/8" hole in the lowest 
possible part of each 'horseshoe' shaped rear a-arm mount where its welded onto 
the inner fender panel supports. This means four 3/8" holes & six 1/2" holes). 
Be prepared for a small cascade of talcum powder dust and maybe mud or water 
from each hole as you break through. 

The lower frame rails have many 'doublers' welded into them; try not to pick 
those areas for drilling 'cause the hole's entrance into the inside of such a 
thick spot will be raised up so water might not completely drain, and because 
its really difficult to drill these holes with a hand drill anyway; thicker 
material just makes it worse. Deburr the outside of each hole for neatness, and 
go for a drive; you'll leave a contrail of brown dust behind you for a few 
minutes. Then you can touch up each drilled hole with rustproof paint. On cars I 
have to work on, I first stick a flexible magnet in thru the big oval holes in 
the frame rail tops. I'm amazed at what I pull or tease out of some Pantera's 
rails! Bolts, nuts, broken spark plugs, big rocks... you name it... Good luck- J 
Deryke