Bonnet clips/fixings

[gadgit]

After taking the bonnet off/on afew times now, i have discoverd that the most frustrating part is not getting the bonnet on, or even getting to sit squarly over the body. It is the bonnet fixings that take the most adjustment, and often the bonnet will not release by simply pulling the release lever. i have found myself on a few occations having to get someone to hold the lever in the pulled position while i pull the bonnet up. Not the ideal situation when the car packs up in the middle of knowmans land! has anyone fitted, of considered fitting the visible racing style bonnet catches? If so, where's the best place to get them?

Many thanks, Gadgit.

[rzrz]

Once had to remove a front wheel to loosen the bonnet catch so i could open it.
Put some paper tape over the holes where the bonnet is supposed to catch in. Then lower the bonnet, apply some light pressure on it and markings will be visible on the tape. Now it's easy to make the necessary adjustments to the fixings. Repeat the procedure until the markings on the tape are in the centre of the holes. Smooth opening and closing guaranteed.

[GreenV8S]

quote:After taking the bonnet off/on afew times now, i have discoverd that the most frustrating part is not getting the bonnet on, or even getting to sit squarly over the body. It is the bonnet fixings that take the most adjustment, and often the bonnet will not release by simply pulling the release lever. i have found myself on a few occations having to get someone to hold the lever in the pulled position while i pull the bonnet up. Not the ideal situation when the car packs up in the middle of knowmans land! has anyone fitted, of considered fitting the visible racing style bonnet catches? If so, where's the best place to get them?

Many thanks, Gadgit.

It is possible to take the bonnet off without losing the position, so when you refit it you don't have to adjust the catches. The trick is to make sure the vertical slides are clamped inside the box section welded to the chassis, and the bolts that actually act as the 'hinge' have lock nuts that you can use to record how far in they were screwed. Then you can remove the bonnet just by undoing the two pivot bolts from the chassis.

I wouldn't really recommend external bonnet locks for a roadgoing car if you're ever going to leave it anywhere, but if you're dead set on the idea almost all the motoring suppliers will sell pretty anodized ones for a few quid, even my local motorfactors stock them. And it looks as if it would be easy enough to attach them through the top of the footwells, at the highest point of the edge of the bonnet.

Cheers,
Peter Humphries (and a green V8S)