Open pan dimples?

[Tinker]

I've seen a few 911 where a 'dimple' or two in the pan were open.

He is a picture from Fishcop's restoration were one of the 'dimples' is open (by the welding vice grips).



I have a similar opening in my rear seat area that was sealed with silicon which I disturbed while cleaning up the area.

Curious why I've see some of these open? Damaged? Best to weld shut or reseal with silicon?

Thanks for the input.

Tinker

[Fishcop]

Tinker,

As best I can work out, it has to do with the black "e-coating" the later cars had applied to the monocoque when they are built for rust protection. I think they must be 'dipped' to get the paint into every orifice and are allowed to drain through the various inspection holes through out the shell. The paint would pool in the floors without the moon shaped cuts in the divots which allow it to drain. The holes are essentially covered up once the schutz is applied to the floors.

None of the earlier cars I have examined (including my own) have these holes in the divots - I have them now as a result of using a SC floor cut.

Maybe someone more knowledgable can expand on this theory?

[Tinker]

Thanks John.

So you did not weld yours shut but will essentially just coat and seal that opening when you finish the exterior of your newly replaced pan?

I guess they are just more evidence of how durable /superior the galvanized bodies are compared to the earlier chassis?

Thanks,

Tinker

[Fishcop]

No I did't weld them closed, but I did use a little seam sealer.

There is no doubt Porsche made some big jumps in durability between the early and later chassis.

Cheers