DeTomaso Mailing List: November 99, Message #430

Cal Wrote:
> Hi all:
> 
> After having done the driver's side rockers, I made a determination that
> slicing off, PORing, patching, and rewelding the rocker panel was not at all
> fun (an a wee bit tiime consuming). However, I'm still faced with the likely
> prospect of redoing the passenger side panel with internal rust. But I don't
> want to take off "da whole thing" if I don't have to. Here's my proposal:
> 
> I'll simply drill some "exploratory holes (about an inch in dia)" along
> strategic parts of the rocker panel and use this to observe the inside for
> any detrimental signs and access ports to clean out and POR innards of the
> rocker panel. After that, I'll simply plug up and weld the holes with
> patches. Any comments greatly appreciated. Cal #2428r. 

Cal,

Before you go drilling holes on the outside, drill a few on the inside
where patching over them can be done with some stainless tape covered
with Dynomat (you were going to cover the inside rockers with Dynomat
anyway weren't you?). After you drill your first hole, take a look to
see where you are relative to the holes in the web between the rockers.
If you line things up right, you can get a pretty good view of the outer
rockers conditon through the web holes. If you need to put holes in the
outer rockers, try to minimize it - filling up a bunch of 1" holes and
getting them smooth is not going to be easy or fun either!

Richard Barkley