I used a short stub length drill with a right angle drill to do mine. AC was removed but PS was still in and plumbed. I'll look for the drill when I get back from TX.

 

I typically unbolt some of the brackets holding the A/C and/or P/S lines down to get enough clearance. I don't think the AC compressor moves.

 

If I were drilling a pan in the car, I'd look for a right-angle drill. Something like this:



--Ian

 

That's an impact

HF has your back for $29. I've used it for other projects (never a pan), and it is crappy but usable.

http://www.harborfreight.com/38-in-v...ill-60610.html

 

All my power tools are Makita 18v, but their right angle drill is only a 3/8" chuck. I haven't looked to see if you can get a 37/64 or 9/16 drill in 3/8" chuck.

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ATGUC4O/ref=biss_dp_t_asn

On Prime, too

 

That was going to be my next question. All the correctly sized drill bits that I had seen were 1/2" while all the right angle drills ae 3/8". Looks like poster below found a drill bit that works.

 

Home Depot claimed it was a drill.

Half inch right-angle drill:


http://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee...7-20/205462851

Another option is to put the 37/64 drill in a lathe so it fits in the 3/8" chuck. You don't need a lot of torque to drill an aluminum pan.

--Ian

 

 

Put bit in lathe. Turn down to 3/8.

Put bit in mill. Cut face for drill.

Put bit in drill. Drill pan.

 

In the time it took you to write this post, I bought the one afm linked to on Amazon with One-click

 

Amazon now has that drill bit and the correct tap as items comment purchased together.

 

Same drill I used.

 

 

Step drill not hit pickup tube?

 

I have only used the step drill bit on a pan off the car. I wouldn't dare to do it on the car. For those I used the correctly sized drill bit with a layer of tape to stop it from going in to far. So far I have only drilled and tapped oil pans on the car in NA's.

 

So is the feed high enough? As in is it above the oil level in pan when the car is running so that the turbo oil can drain easily?