1966 427 front inner wheel well (holes)

[Ken K.]

My question is for a '66 427/425hp car with no A/C. On the front right inner wheel well piece. What if any holes should be drill into this piece? This is a bb car so there is no expansion tank. Should the holes be there and did they get filled at the factory? (What does that look like?) I think there is a bracket that holds the heater hoses to the inner well that has two holes. What about to holes at the top for the straps the hold the radiator expansion tank hose? (Small block cars) Any photos whould be great. Thanks

[John H.]

Re: 1966 427 front inner wheel well (holes)

Ken -

The holes for the small-block radiator-to-expansion tank hose retainers and the holes for the expansion tank bracket rivets were pre-drilled in all inner fenders by the molder/supplier; the expansion tank rivet holes were filled with bond on big-blocks (usually relatively smooth on the engine side, a "glob" showing in each hole on the tire side), and the upper retainer holes were left open (photo on page 202 of the Dobbins book shows this). The two bolt holes for the BB heater hose-to-skirt clamp were drilled at assembly.

[Wayne W.]

Re: 1966 427 front inner wheel well (holes)

Actually, its the other way around. The expansion tank holes are filled from the tire well side and the excess bond is pushed through to the engine side.

[John H.]

Re: 1966 427 front inner wheel well (holes)

Yup, had it backwards

[Everett Ogilvie]

Re: 1966 427 front inner wheel well (holes)

And, early cars are an entirely different thing, with some having the entire expansion tank bracket still riveted in place, and others with the rivets there (cut off and bracket removed, and NO blackout paint in that area). See several Restorer articles regarding the early cars, based on survey data. Of course the quantities of early cars with these features are very small indeed.