To Drill or Not to Drill...?

[cv2065]

I'm in the process of marking all of my panels for drilling tomorrow. Trying to get this done first to save time later. I've been cross referencing the manual in the areas where they've marked panels and installed.

One thing I've found is that with a couple of the foot box panels, the manual says to mark those panels, but don't drill them until they are fitted and then drill through both panels at the same time. Doesn't seem like it makes a difference one way or the other. Is there a reason for this? I'd rather get all of my initial drilling completed, then drill through the overlap panel when I go to hang them permanently.

[GoDadGo]

Question: .. Do you have a CLECO Kit and if so how many do you have?
...............When fitting pans the more you have the better off you will be during this phase of your build.

1. If you are sending your pans off to be painted, powder coated or anodized, then yes fit them, mark them and then drill them.
2. If you are not coating the tins, then you can fit and drill at your leisure.
3. Just don't get ahead of yourself and take your time.

Check out EdwardB's last two Roadster Builds because they will really give you great reference material that supplements the manual.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?8296-Mk4-7750-Build-Progress-Update
https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?18591-EdwardB%92s-Mk4-8674-20th-Anniversary-Build

Also, pay particular attention to the rear quarter panel heights since they support your body and you don't want any droop back there

Good Luck!

[jrcuz]

Do not rivet the rear cockpit bulkhead before you rivet the upper trunk floor or else you won't be able to get to the front edge of the upper trunk floor.
JR

[cv2065]

Thanks guys. I’ve got lots of Clecos, was just wondering why the manual would refrain from drilling the holes until mounted, but it’s all good. Will drill everything (hopefully today), fit it all up and then off to the powdercoater!

[initiator]

The trick is that the later panel overlaps the earlier one, so you can't see where the earlier hole lies. If you lay in all the panels and drill them in one go, then you can disassemble and send to the coater knowing that they'll line up again. Most people prefer not to drill after powdercoating because of the chance of marking the panel accidentally.

[cv2065]

The trick is that the later panel overlaps the earlier one, so you can't see where the earlier hole lies. If you lay in all the panels and drill them in one go, then you can disassemble and send to the coater knowing that they'll line up again. Most people prefer not to drill after powdercoating because of the chance of marking the panel accidentally.

Thanks. That makes sense from a manual perspective. I’ve marked everything that overlaps and gets drilled so should be good to go.

[mikeinatlanta]

Also, pay particular attention to the rear quarter panel heights since they support your body and you don't want any droop back there

Times are a changing. Remember when we would very intentionally droop everything back there to fix the perky butt? The drop butt mod. :)

[Jeff Kleiner]

Times are a changing. Remember when we would very intentionally droop everything back there to fix the perky butt? The drop butt mod. :)

;)

And remember how people complained about the "beak" on the trunklid that was to accommodate the license plate lamp? Now that they've eliminated the beak people complain because the license plate doesn't fit. Fickle bunch of guys, huh? :)

Jeff

[Richard Oben]

We drill (number 30 not 1/8 in) and cleco as many panels as possible. Mark them, drill them, drill frame and then pull them out of the way. When we go cart the front and bottom of the driver foot box may be the only panels semi-permanently installed, lots of others clecoed in place but not install. It is so easy to put the transmission mount in if the floors are not in the way etc. Find all wiring issues, all brake leaks, fuel leaks and drill other holes and not have the shavings caught in between the panel and frame. Like when wiring. Plus all the sparklies are done at once. Some panels, radiator, splash panels, under door have to be done later. JMHO, Richard.