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Posted by: ahycaramba Feb 3 2020, 10:06 PM

Ok I had my car media blasted and found something very interesting. On both sides of the floor board and one under the foot pedals there are round impressions with a half moon shape cut into them, total of five. Is this from the factory? What was their thought process on that? Thinking of welding them up.

Thanks in advance
Al

Posted by: gms Feb 3 2020, 10:24 PM

Most likely spot welder access or assembly line attachment related

Posted by: ahycaramba Feb 3 2020, 10:40 PM

QUOTE(gms @ Feb 3 2020, 08:24 PM)

Posted by: SirAndy Feb 4 2020, 01:13 AM

QUOTE(gms @ Feb 3 2020, 08:24 PM)

Posted by: peteyd Feb 4 2020, 07:09 AM

I think that Al is asking about the circled portion.



These were present on all 911 floorpans as well. They were probably for drainage. That is all that we can imagine they were for. Whether it was for a process on the assembly line? I'm sure the 911 guys have discussed it as well.

Pete

Posted by: ahycaramba Feb 4 2020, 08:14 PM

Thanks for the insight gentlemen.
Pete you were right on the money as to what i was referring to.
I'm glad to know mine is not a one off.

Al

Posted by: 914forme Feb 4 2020, 08:55 PM

I wish it was for draining after it was dipped in anti corrosive, but most all of us have proof that never happened.

Posted by: bkrantz Feb 4 2020, 09:26 PM

I see what you did there.

Posted by: Literati914 Feb 5 2020, 12:00 AM

QUOTE(ahycaramba @ Feb 3 2020, 10:06 PM)

Posted by: ClayPerrine Feb 5 2020, 08:48 AM

The big round holes with the plugs in them were to hold the panel to the assembly jig. Once the body was assembled, the jig was removed and the plugs installed.

As for the small ones with the half moon cutout, I would doubt they were for spot welder access. That would require bending the metal before welding, and bending it back once done. Most spot welders on assembly lines are either big monsters with huge jaw openings, or they are built into the assembly jig.

Maybe for drainage when they dip primed the chassis.

Posted by: UROpartsman Feb 5 2020, 04:11 PM

Indeed, these cut outs have been the subject of many discussions on 911 forums. Many folks believe they were intended to allow drainage after the parts were dip-primered, but Clay's body jig explanation also makes sense for the large holes. The openings were later sealed with bitumen on the inside and body schutz on the outside, so they were never intended to be open on a finished car.

Here's a NOS 911 floor pan with similar punch-outs.


Attached image(s)

Posted by: ClayPerrine Feb 6 2020, 11:16 AM

I have a Porsche factory video of 356 bodies being built. It shows the metal being put on the jigs as they add each part, and they use the same big holes to connect to the jig. The little holes were to drain away the excess paint when the chassis was dip primered.

Posted by: 76-914 Feb 6 2020, 03:15 PM

QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Feb 6 2020, 09:16 AM)

Posted by: 914forme Feb 6 2020, 07:45 PM

I guess Germans forgot primer is hygroscopic

Posted by: ClayPerrine Feb 7 2020, 02:16 PM

QUOTE(76-914 @ Feb 6 2020, 03:15 PM)

QUOTE(ClayPerrine @ Feb 6 2020, 09:16 AM)

I have a Porsche factory video of 356 bodies being built. It shows the metal being put on the jigs as they add each part, and they use the same big holes to connect to the jig. The little holes were to drain away the excess paint when the chassis was dip primered.

Post it up in another thread Clay.