Bonnet conversion complete
Discussion
Well its done! 
Started yesterday after lunch and finished it today just before lunch!
I know I said I would be doing a video journal, but when bits of fibreglass started to be cut and drill, I lost all interest in videoing and just wanted to get stuck in.
used the piece of wood technique which worked wonders, cheers guys.
We had to straighten one of the hinges I had off Mrchips as the curvature of the bonnet on one side differed quite a bit to the other.
Other than that, quite plain sailing and very chuffed with the results.
Huge thanks out to everyone for the hints and tips and of course Mrchips for the hinges!
Obviously I'll be tittivating over the next couple of days, I'll start by repainting the underside of the bonnet. Anyone recommend a brand of brush paint? I'm after a black gloss/satin finish.
video in action
Started yesterday after lunch and finished it today just before lunch!
I know I said I would be doing a video journal, but when bits of fibreglass started to be cut and drill, I lost all interest in videoing and just wanted to get stuck in.
used the piece of wood technique which worked wonders, cheers guys.
We had to straighten one of the hinges I had off Mrchips as the curvature of the bonnet on one side differed quite a bit to the other.
Other than that, quite plain sailing and very chuffed with the results.
Huge thanks out to everyone for the hints and tips and of course Mrchips for the hinges!
Obviously I'll be tittivating over the next couple of days, I'll start by repainting the underside of the bonnet. Anyone recommend a brand of brush paint? I'm after a black gloss/satin finish.
video in action
Edited by B3NNL on Sunday 22 April 22:30
Certainly MrC!
First things first, you'll need to see if Mrchips has any of his gucci hinges left. They're a top piece of kit and very well manufactured.
Then pop over to SGS engineering and get yourself the following:
These struts
End joints these x2 and these x2
and these brackets x2
To secure the hinges we got some 8mm roofing bolts from Homebase (as this was the only shop open at 7pm Sat evening!)
Something like this but you'll need to cut a bit off the bolt as you only need about 30mm length.
Get hold of some tap washers like these you'll need to drill them out to 8mm to allow the roofing bolts through.
Next you'll need some smaller roofing bolts, somthing like these to secure a small strip of dexian or metal to the lip of the side bonnet to attach your strut to.
A strip of metal/dexian about 5" x 1" to secure the top of your strut to the bonnet.
To secure the brackets to the engine bay we got hold of some meaty self tapping screws, although I would have been happier with bolts, but time will tell.
You'll need a drill with 8mm & 6mm drill bits, a hacksaw or disk cutter (my mate was a bit of a master with the disk cutter so I let him chop away at the bonnet, don't know if I'd have been happy doing it myself!) Some files or a Dremmel with a sanding/grinding attachment. A piece of wood approx 2" x 1" and the length of the width of the car.
Lots of tea/coffee & biscuits.
TBC later as I'm in work at the moment and should probably actually do some today!
First things first, you'll need to see if Mrchips has any of his gucci hinges left. They're a top piece of kit and very well manufactured.
Then pop over to SGS engineering and get yourself the following:
These struts
End joints these x2 and these x2
and these brackets x2
To secure the hinges we got some 8mm roofing bolts from Homebase (as this was the only shop open at 7pm Sat evening!)
Something like this but you'll need to cut a bit off the bolt as you only need about 30mm length.
Get hold of some tap washers like these you'll need to drill them out to 8mm to allow the roofing bolts through.
Next you'll need some smaller roofing bolts, somthing like these to secure a small strip of dexian or metal to the lip of the side bonnet to attach your strut to.
A strip of metal/dexian about 5" x 1" to secure the top of your strut to the bonnet.
To secure the brackets to the engine bay we got hold of some meaty self tapping screws, although I would have been happier with bolts, but time will tell.
You'll need a drill with 8mm & 6mm drill bits, a hacksaw or disk cutter (my mate was a bit of a master with the disk cutter so I let him chop away at the bonnet, don't know if I'd have been happy doing it myself!) Some files or a Dremmel with a sanding/grinding attachment. A piece of wood approx 2" x 1" and the length of the width of the car.
Lots of tea/coffee & biscuits.
TBC later as I'm in work at the moment and should probably actually do some today!
Looks great, I like where you have the struts positioned nearer the front of the wings,mine are in the middle and are a little awkward at times, looks like it will be a lot easier accessing the engine for servicing, do you have any problems with the bonnet twisting when you close it?
Its about a cm over to the right when closed, so takes a little push to slide the locking pin back in, but nothing too harsh.
We have identified that this can be corrected by sliding the bolts in the hinges by a few mm as Mrchips's fantastic hinges had oval holes to allow for a little movement, we just couldnt be arsed to do it after working on it all weekend. A job for another weekend.
Was yours done by S&D? I've watched Raj's youtube video on it and the bonnet had a fair bit of flex, which was somewhat off putting. By mounting the struts so low, we appeared to have made the whole unit quite solid. I'll post another video showing how much flex there is, or should say, isn't
I also love the fact that it can be closed single handedly without bending the bonnet.
We have identified that this can be corrected by sliding the bolts in the hinges by a few mm as Mrchips's fantastic hinges had oval holes to allow for a little movement, we just couldnt be arsed to do it after working on it all weekend. A job for another weekend.
Was yours done by S&D? I've watched Raj's youtube video on it and the bonnet had a fair bit of flex, which was somewhat off putting. By mounting the struts so low, we appeared to have made the whole unit quite solid. I'll post another video showing how much flex there is, or should say, isn't
I also love the fact that it can be closed single handedly without bending the bonnet.Sorry I've not posted this evening. I've been sat in the garage tinkering!
So painted the underside of the bonnet using Halfrauds very own satin heat resistant paint.
Then thought I'd paint in the TVR inlay on the rocker cover, then the silver of the SPEED SIX, now I've started to polish stuff up!
Yee gods this will never end!
MrC I'll get on with the rest of the instructions tomorrow, apologies.
MrChips, no reinforcing, we used the rubber tap washers between the bolt heads and the hinges, this has given the side affect of allowing the smallest amount of flex with the hinge and means we don't have any solid surface directly touching the fibreglass itself. Its worked really well and feels pretty robust, I'll keep an eye on it to check for any signs of stress, but for now I'm more than satisfied it'll be fine.
But your hinges were top job, thanks again.
So painted the underside of the bonnet using Halfrauds very own satin heat resistant paint.
Then thought I'd paint in the TVR inlay on the rocker cover, then the silver of the SPEED SIX, now I've started to polish stuff up!
Yee gods this will never end!
MrC I'll get on with the rest of the instructions tomorrow, apologies.
MrChips, no reinforcing, we used the rubber tap washers between the bolt heads and the hinges, this has given the side affect of allowing the smallest amount of flex with the hinge and means we don't have any solid surface directly touching the fibreglass itself. Its worked really well and feels pretty robust, I'll keep an eye on it to check for any signs of stress, but for now I'm more than satisfied it'll be fine.
But your hinges were top job, thanks again.
Ben,
Looks good! I used s/steel fixings wherever possible. For the re-inforcing plates either side of the bonnet (taking the 'offset' ball mounts) I got some 2mm, 25mm wide aluminium flat bar (from B&Q) and fixed those to the bonnet with stainless M4 s/sunk allen screws and nylocs.
I had enough of the flat bar to fashion some 'shiny' plates over the hold-down bolt holes (ones on mid-point of wheel arch). These also fixed with the M4 screws, as above.
Dave's choice of having the struts mounted forward also appealed to me as it does maximise access to the engine.
Nick
Looks good! I used s/steel fixings wherever possible. For the re-inforcing plates either side of the bonnet (taking the 'offset' ball mounts) I got some 2mm, 25mm wide aluminium flat bar (from B&Q) and fixed those to the bonnet with stainless M4 s/sunk allen screws and nylocs.
I had enough of the flat bar to fashion some 'shiny' plates over the hold-down bolt holes (ones on mid-point of wheel arch). These also fixed with the M4 screws, as above.
Dave's choice of having the struts mounted forward also appealed to me as it does maximise access to the engine.
Nick
Thanks for the video and the photo's looking great. I have my hinges from Mr Chips in the garage waiting to be fitted but have become distracted...too many things to get stuck into!!
Great job ...
edited to say i just priced up the bits from SGS, £74 delivered. for some reason i got it to £94 previously but will check what i did!!!
Great job ...
edited to say i just priced up the bits from SGS, £74 delivered. for some reason i got it to £94 previously but will check what i did!!!
Edited by Robertjp on Tuesday 24th April 21:44
I certainly will Pacman as I still owe MrC a full rundown on what I did.
Car is away getting some pretty red hoses fitted, once done I'll get plenty of close ups of all point & hinges etc.
To answer your question though, the service bonnet remains untouched, still on its original hinge points, centre and side pins. The only thing I removed was the stay for the service bonnet as it was getting in the way of the main bonnet when I closed it. But the main bonnet is so easy and quick to open now that I won't even bother with the service panel, but yes its still serviceable if I wanted to use it.
I'll be up at Chatsworth if anyone wants to have a play with it, I've even spoken to my mate about offering our services to do it for people. Nothing set in stone, just toying with the idea at the moment.
Car is away getting some pretty red hoses fitted, once done I'll get plenty of close ups of all point & hinges etc.
To answer your question though, the service bonnet remains untouched, still on its original hinge points, centre and side pins. The only thing I removed was the stay for the service bonnet as it was getting in the way of the main bonnet when I closed it. But the main bonnet is so easy and quick to open now that I won't even bother with the service panel, but yes its still serviceable if I wanted to use it.
I'll be up at Chatsworth if anyone wants to have a play with it, I've even spoken to my mate about offering our services to do it for people. Nothing set in stone, just toying with the idea at the moment.
B3NNL said:
I certainly will Pacman as I still owe MrC a full rundown on what I did.
Car is away getting some pretty red hoses fitted, once done I'll get plenty of close ups of all point & hinges etc.
To answer your question though, the service bonnet remains untouched, still on its original hinge points, centre and side pins. The only thing I removed was the stay for the service bonnet as it was getting in the way of the main bonnet when I closed it. But the main bonnet is so easy and quick to open now that I won't even bother with the service panel, but yes its still serviceable if I wanted to use it.
I'll be up at Chatsworth if anyone wants to have a play with it, I've even spoken to my mate about offering our services to do it for people. Nothing set in stone, just toying with the idea at the moment.
Can you identify your car so others know which one to look at. Car is away getting some pretty red hoses fitted, once done I'll get plenty of close ups of all point & hinges etc.
To answer your question though, the service bonnet remains untouched, still on its original hinge points, centre and side pins. The only thing I removed was the stay for the service bonnet as it was getting in the way of the main bonnet when I closed it. But the main bonnet is so easy and quick to open now that I won't even bother with the service panel, but yes its still serviceable if I wanted to use it.
I'll be up at Chatsworth if anyone wants to have a play with it, I've even spoken to my mate about offering our services to do it for people. Nothing set in stone, just toying with the idea at the moment.
Benn... do you still use the securing clips at the top edges of the service bonnet, or have you secured the service bonnet to the main one?
Picked up my car yesterday so it's back on the road for the first time in 8 months. The service bonnet clips on mine are crap and keep coming undone so just thinking about either replacing them or trying something else.
Picked up my car yesterday so it's back on the road for the first time in 8 months. The service bonnet clips on mine are crap and keep coming undone so just thinking about either replacing them or trying something else.
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