I've got holes in my 59

[Wes P.]

On the transmission tunnel, between the firewall and console, there are 3 holes each about 2" in diameter situated directly over the bell housing. These holes were covered by a rectangular tin plate held in place w/ 4 screws and a putty-type sealer.

Are these holes supposed to be there, and what purpose would they serve?

Thanks/ regards,

Wes

[William C.]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

Not supposed to be there for starters. Possibilites are endless ranging from access to bolts to a blown clutch, or anything in between

[Ronald D, Rains]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

I have a 57 with the same holes.
RDR

[Wes P.]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

Well now...

That's interesting. They sure look like OEM holes (whatever the heck that means!) due to their uniform size and symmetry across the tunnel. Guess I better plan on glassing them in.

Thanks Bill,

Wes

[Wes P.]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

Hmmmm, the plot thickens! Perhaps I won't glass them in. They might be rare factory options, you know...

RPO 000: Holes.

Thanks Ron,

Wes

[John M.]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

Wes,
They were not factory made holes.

Regards, John McGraw

[Tracy C.]

Rare Siberian "heater boost" option... *NM*

[John H.]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

Yes, they're factory holes, at least on a '56-'57; they came already drilled in the forward tunnel area of the dash panel, and were covered with #3706856 access hole cover and attached with (4) #273445 screws and a bead of #3710409 sealer. Based on their size and location, they align exactly with the three access holes in the bell of the cast-iron Powerglide used to align/attach the converter bolts to the flexplate. The assembly of the cover panel is shown in the '57 A.I.M. in Section A, Sheet 3.00.

[Tom H.]

Re: Rare Siberian "heater boost" option...

I have 2 1959s and both of them have the three holes with cover plate. Niether of my cars are automatics, both are 4 speeds. I have no plans of glassing over them. One of them has been Bloomington Gold Twice. Tom

[Wayne P.]

Re: Rare Siberian "heater boost" option...

I also had these on a 58 car several years ago. I figured they had something to do with a powerglide, but I never knew for sure.

[Dennis C.]

Tom... While I commend your car...

...on being a "Bloomington Gold" car twice, I would be extraordinarily amazed if any judge checked to confirm your car had those holes intact. You would probably have to remove the interior carpet or put the car on a lift to even get a view of the area.

[John M.]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

John,
Must have stopped sometime in 59. I have a July 59 and it does not have them.
My 60 did not have them either and it was an automatic car.

Regards, John McGraw

[Ted S.]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

My '58 has them and if you look at the powerglide section in the AIM it indicates installing bolts in the top of the bellhousing via "access holes". Hope this helps, Ted

[Ted S.]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

Here's my 3rd attempt at this. It looks like the AIM shows the change on 3-23-59. My '58 AIM shows the 3706856 - Cover, 3710409 (possibly 37410400) - Sealer, and 273445 - Screw, all removed on that date. It also shows 3749511 and 273446 removed. From the '57 AIM does it show what those parts are?

[John H.]

Re: I've got holes in my 59

273446 was the screw used to attach the '56-'57 rear tunnel cover piece to the floor pan (same one used at the rear of the trunk opening to attach the rear portion of the spare tire well). Dunno what the 3749511 was.