Could it not be that they went to holes because of the waviness caused when
stamping/cutting the slots? Also I am suspicious of the fact that they did not
need alignment holes when making the 100 fenders, and many of the 6 cyl series
fenders. -and that if it were a fender stamping aid, why then is it's
appearance sporadic throughout the production period? - and that the suggested
method did not enter into door, hood, rear fender, trunk lid stamping... which
seemed to work just fine. It also strikes me that jigs placed at the perimeter
of the blank would be more effective in holding the piece in place accurately
than 2 holes so close together near the center of the blank. (arguable, of
course). Further, it strikes me as a strong coincidence that this was the same
location used undeniably for venting on the previous runs of (100) fenders,
and the same area cut for rally vents. The 100's had the spear vents on both
sides, indicating a concern for overall heat in the compartment, not just on
the carb side.
I do not deny that the size of the holes would have limited their
effectiveness, but as we see in other features, that doesn't necessarily mean
that was not the intent.
I don't know for sure what they are either, -just making a case.
David W. Jones
'62 Mk II BT7 tricarb
Cumberland, RI USA
----- Original Message -----
From: Healeyguy@aol.com
To: healeys@autox.team.net
Sent: Saturday, September 04, 2004 7:42 PM
Subject: Re: MORE About Holes in Wings
I'll throw a little into this fray. I have two sets of early BN4 front
fenders (pre BN6 production) that do not have the 5/16 extra holes under the
flash. A set of early BT7's that do have the holes and a bunch of BJ series
fenders that have the holes. To be sure, two 5/16 inch holes in the fenders
in that
location will do nothing for under hood ventilation or improve air flow to
the carbs. Unlike the very large slots in BN1 and early BN2 fenders that
allowed some escape of hot air. Those slots had their own production
problems
causing waviness in the fender directly below the slot.
Back to the holes. Because the holes are found on both left and right
fenders would lend more credence to them being there as alignment holes for
the
second pressing operation when these fenders were made. The sheet steel is
punched on the press to the flat shape (mysterious holes punched at that
time),
then blanks put in the forming press using the holes to align blanks in the
press. Later edges where turned over and trimmed. Having alignment holes /
pins in the pressing operation helps assure that the blank ends up in the
right
place and reduces the trimming process. The only place to hide these holes
in
under the flash. In short an attempt at quality control.
Aloha
Perry
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