Installing flip front kit, what's easiest way to secure back of bonnet for driving?

[RickB]

Easy to install, readily available, not too expensive?
Hope it's not one of those "three things, pick any two" deals.
Ideas / thoughts / jeers?

 

[Rut]

Rick,
I've not completed mine, but from what I've read it won't take much since the bonnet stays put pretty well. I'm installing a vertical pin on either side with a corresponding hole to keep things lined up and depending on fit I'll use either magnets or a regular after market hood latch and door popper.
Rut
https://www.reidsrodparts.com/INT13.html

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I often forget to latch mine, and it only pops up an inch or so when I jump the railroad tracks. It has never offered to fly open on emergency stops.

 

[Griz]

Short leather strap & belt buckle on each side on mine...home made, the ones from the usual suspect were cheap plastic.

Griz

 

[David_Doan]

Short leather strap & belt buckle on each side on mine...home made, the ones from the usual suspect were cheap plastic.

Griz

I've not finished mine yet, but I'm thinking the same. Saw leather ones in the latest moss catalog - $50 a pair

Griz, would you share pics of yours?



https://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=104106&SortOrder=30

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Rick,

Adjustable SS locking Draw Latch from NcMaster Carr worked for me. Four tiny holes to mount w self tapping screws.bonnet takes on a new curve after it has been on car and latches need to be adjustable.

 

[RickB]

Jim, do they have a website where I can see the latches?

 

[nomad]

If you were to want them hidden I always thought that it wouldn't be too difficult to put a latch in the footwell. Just a Dzus turnbuckle would do the job. Some have moved the later bonnet latch to the firewall to do the same thing.

Kurt.

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Rick,

Here you go.
https://www.mcmaster.com/#draw-latches/=smd4up

I went to Type D, Adjustable Draw Latches, SS, w Safety Catch, rated at 400 lbs or so $15.25 each. After breaking 2 sets of Winners Circle Latches that use a little hoop that goes over a hook I found these to be really, really tough. Plus the safety catch keeps them from popping open if you hit a rough stretch of road. Tension is adjustable. These worked great for 5+ years. Like I said if bonnet has been off of the car, tendency is for bonnet to lose the curve that fits the firewall. You'll also kee back of bonnet buffer seal from McGregors in CA. See their add in back of Classic Motorsports Mag for a telephone #. Their seal fits and the one from the biggest supplier of LBC Parts does not.

 

[RickB]

This one?

https://www.mcmaster.com/#draw-latches/=smf1uk

Don't have CM here, anybody have McGregors info?

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Part # 1864A17 or at the McMaster Carr Page do a search for Adjustable Draw Latches from their page and you can find it. You want the one with the Lock Tab

MacGregors 1-877-777-6381. You need to make the phone call to Toronto as they don't answer to e-mail.

 

[RickB]

Just guessing they are also not open Sundays.
Is there a certain part I'm asking for when I call or just say rear bonnet seal for Bugeye Sprite?
What are they likely to want to extract from me for this piece of rubber?

At McMaster I see this:

Enclosed Adjustable Draw Latch, 300 Series Stainless Steel, Safety Catch, 2"-2-1/2" Latch Distance

https://images1.mcmaster.com/Contents/gfx/large/1864ap2l.png?ver=19907094

 

[Jim_Gruber]

That's the latch I used. IIRC rear buffer seal $35-40 with shipping. Took about 10 days or so.

 

[RickB]

If I get to the job before the buffers arrive what's a stop gap I can use until then?

(latches are on order)

 

[David_Doan]

some kind of strip of padding.... carpet, !/2" hose split down the middle......

 

[nomad]

Rick, you may want to fit the bug eye rubber buffers on the sill's as well.

Kurt.

 

[RickB]

Rick, you may want to fit the bug eye rubber buffers on the sill's as well.

Kurt.

I was wondering about that, what about the ones that sit on the tops of the inner fenders - would they be helpful too?

 

[nomad]

Might be....I think I would get them if you can source them for the right price.

Kurt.

 

[RickB]

Guys, please take a look here and tell me what you think of these bits:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rubber-Bon...Bugeye-Sprite-MK1-1958-1961-New-/231204713897

Looks like decent stuff, Ebay makes it easy enough to return stuff if it isn't as advertised.

 

[Griz]

David, sorry I have not been online all weekend to see your post. I don't think I have any close up pics of my leather strap latches, but will try to take some when I get back home this weekend (I'm on the road all week). My straps are now about 10 years old and are starting to show some weathering, but still work quite well. Like I said, I went to the men's department in a local store and bought two tan leather belts and made my own. Used some brass plate for the end caps. BTW, I was in a car show over the weekend and those latches got many comments (as did the car).

Griz