unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

yesterday, while installing the right front inner fender panel on my '46,i noticed what appears to be 4 factory made holes in the area next to the battery tray. 2 about 1/4" & 2 about 3/8". any one else have these? what might they be for? thanks! :confused:

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

Yes, I have them too, on my '47. Thought maybe they for attaching some type of accessory but couldn't find any suggestions in that section of the 1941 - 1948 Ford Book.

If they are for mounting something inside the engine compartment, it would have to be fairly narrow in order to fit between the panel and the battery.

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

I looked at my '46 Super Deluxe Coupe, and only found three. One 1/4" and one 3/8" holes towards the front of the battery, and one 1/4" just behind the stamped crease about 6" ahead of the battery. In any event, they can't be too important, because no one knows what they are for. 😊 When you look under the hood of newer cars, you will find all sorts and types of unused holes, as well as a number of unused electrical connections, depending on what options are installed. Fewer options, more unused holes and connectors.

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

They may be tooling holes, possibly used for holding metal sheet in place when it was being stamped.

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

Why would there be a need to hold sheet metal in place when being stamped?
That would mean there was a stamping die built to put the holes in and another to stamp something later. That makes zero sense.
I'd built more stamping dies than I care to recall - that's not how "it" works.

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

My guess..... Just a guess.... If all you guys have V-8's it could be holes utilized to hold some do-dad of a part on a 6cyl car..

Or... If on a 41-46 MAybe some sort of barckets for a hot air heater??

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

Could it be the holes for steering box mount on a Right Hand drive car.

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

Michael, I was wondering the same thing. As noted, only 1.5 inch clearance between one of the holes and corner of the battery. That's the most narrow space on mine.

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

How about for that windshield wiper vacuum tank? Are these holes in the firewall or inner fender?

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

The windshield wiper vacuum tank was located on the drivers side lower fender area on the '46-'48. Rusty, are there any holes on the drivers side inner fender panel on your car? I'm off to my garage to check out my car.

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

Yes, I just checked and I also have them on my '46 Station Wagon. The mystery continues!

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

What about the funky heater that had duct work in the hood or a hotair heater off the exhaust

I remember the 6 cyl cars had the battery on the opposite side of a V8

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

Where was the accessory windshield washer jar mounted on these years?? Surely not that close to the battery I would think.

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

the only holes on the left side were for the horn brackets & they are in a different place.

Re: unimportant question for '41-'48 owners
 

Michael, I have that accessory and it mounts on the firewall.