Is this hole supposed to be here?

[Greg L.]

I just noticed this hole in my drip rail and was wondering if it should be there or not. If it's not then now is probably the time to fix it rather than after it's painted. Oh ya, it's a Jan 69 car if that matters.

Thanks.

[Pat M.]

Re: Is this hole supposed to be here?

Greg - my 70 has a hole very similar to the one in your picture, although mine may be a tiny bit further toward the rear of the rail.
Also, the lower part of my passenger side hood drip rail also has a similar hole sort of near the fan blower.
No judge has ever told me these holes shouldn't be there.
Patrick

[Chuck S.]

Re: Is this hole supposed to be here?

Yes, in all likelihood, it's supposed to be there. Two thoughts:

(1) Feel the hole on the backside of the drip rail...if it's smooth, not rough with "pushed through" material that the drill didn't cut, or has randomly broken areas with small cracks, it's very likely a factory hole. Even the best, most careful, amateurs make the mistakes above when drilling too fast and using dull tools. Also I doubt an amateur would have poitioned the hole in the center of the vertical face as it is...if an amateur were drilling the hole it would probably be offset one way or the other.

(2) Look in your AIM, UPC 12 around Sheet A14, and examine the routing of the vacuum and electrical harnesses along the driver side inner fender...you may find there is supposed to be a clamp riveted in that hole to support the harnesses. Edit: My 70 has a similar hole just above the horn relay that receives a harness clamp rivited to the backside of the drip rail, but none where yours is located. OR...There may NOT be a clamp; maybe it should just be an empty hole. I don't think the General reconfigured these holes for each MY depending on the number of clamps used that year...that hole may have been in the supplied fenders since the 68s.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Is this hole supposed to be here?

My Oct '68 does not have a hole or rivet at this location. It does have a harness bracket riveted on the underside of the drip rail itself farther back toward the firewall.
Jeff

[Alan S.]

Re: Is this hole supposed to be here?

Hi Greg,
No hole by mid- January 71. There is a hole for the rivet for a clamp for the vacuum hose bundle and the forward lighting harness in that relative position but further back, about opposite where the master cylinder mounts to the cowl.
Regards,
Alan

[Greg L.]

Re: Is this hole supposed to be here?

Thanks guys. The hole looks factory but I'll have to have a better look at the backside tomorrow. Instersting that the Oct 68 and Jan 71 cars don't have a hole but that a 70 does so that makes me wonder whats up.

Pat I can tell you what your hole in the lower pass side drip rail was for. I have a clamp/strap there on mine and it is to hold the vacuum hoses for the wiper door relay. I guess when they moved that relay to the location by the master cylinder they just left the old clamp location as an open rivet hole.

[Robert C.]

Re: Is this hole supposed to be here?

I don't know what that hole is for , but I had several holes in my 71' engine compartment that no body could figure out a reason.

[John C.]

Re: Is this hole supposed to be here?

Greg

My April built 68 has the hole you show. It was filled in at the factory and the outline can barely be seen on the front side but you can feel the filler on the backside.

John