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Posted by: larss Aug 16 2011, 10:56 PM

After whasing (and flushing) my car I could fill a good large tea cup with water that had gathered in the hell hole. Guess if I did not empty it it had been sitting there for weeks, eating on my fresh paint
Has anybody tried to make a drain (small hole) at the lowest point and how did you get to drill there (with the engine in)?


/Lars S

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Aug 16 2011, 11:06 PM

I just sold a car that had drains built into the hell holes on both sides of the car. About a 1/2 inch hole was drilled in the top and bottom of the long. A piece of tubing was then welded in at the top and bottom. Worked great.

Posted by: SirAndy Aug 16 2011, 11:29 PM

They came from the factory with drain holes that have small plastic plugs in them. They clog up easily and then water puddles. I always remove the plugs to let the water drain freely.

Posted by: larss Aug 16 2011, 11:34 PM

Thanks, that makes sense! My left hell hole has that plug and hole and my right has not, the right side has been re-welded by PO and they must have "forgotten" to make a new one...

/Lars S

Posted by: SirAndy Aug 16 2011, 11:54 PM

The left side also has a large hole with a plastic plug that is higher up which is used on the /6 cars for the return oil-line to go through.

The drain holes are pretty small and can easily be missed if the hell hole is not clean as the rubber plug will clog up with dirt (they have a small slit in them).

Posted by: 9146986 Aug 17 2011, 07:54 AM

This is something I've thought about doing, any pics??

Posted by: jimkelly Aug 17 2011, 08:57 AM

my 1975 hells - engine just removed


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Posted by: r_towle Aug 17 2011, 09:24 AM

The factory drain hole still leaves about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of that area.
I typically drill a hole at the lowest point of the engine shelf, not the long and let it run out on the inside.
I added a piece of tubing to my car so it does not soak the heater tube and fuel pump which are right below the hole.

You can get a drill in from below or above with the motor in the car.

Ran the tube down below the car....let it drip out while driving.

I also clean that area yearly with a mixture of baking soda and water to stop the battery acid from doing its thing.

Rich