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Front Flip or not on my 59 BE

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Bruce_B

Bruce_B

Jedi Warrior
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Anyone whose done it....are you glad you did? Any cons against the project?

What are people using to hold the bonnet down?

Thanks....
 
Bruce

I am glad I did it, working in the engine room is a lot easier. I am using two locking pins that slide through the door jams into the bonnet. This year I am hoping to convert to two zuess fasteners.

Pat
 
Oh, pins through door jams into the bonnet. Exellent idea, must look at that close. Best idea I have heard of so far.

Easly done with a foot long drill bit as well. What size did you use Pat?
 
Only drawback to mine is I can't run the front bumper on it. Other than that I have been real happy with mine.Gravity holds mine down!
 
VERY happy with mine /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif ! Eliminates uncomfortable stooping to work in engine bay /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif ! Good on the old back /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banana.gif ! As with GreenHornet, no front bumper (less weight /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wink.gif !). Hold mine down with rubber hook-latches (Looking for a "prettier" solution /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/yesnod.gif !)
 
Jack,

My bonnet is camel food to compensate for the additional engine weight. They are ss pins, with a little ball that comes out on the end and locks them. There is a button on the end to release the ball, I had bought them from McMasters. The diameter is about 3/16 ths.

Pat
 
I've had the front tilt for years and love it. It came with a back hinge when I bought it, and I hated banging my head and the lack of light even on a bright day. It used to have some leather belts and buckles to hold the bonnet down. I'm going the route of Spitfire latches now.
 
Pat,
Could you post a picture of you pin setup?
 
Now that I know that it's a good idea, whose kit did you use? I can repair, but I'm not a good fabricator so I'm not going to make one (unless its really easy). I also have no access to heavy metal shaping equipment.

I see MiniMania makes a kit as well as Speedwell. Speedwell's doesn't require a cable to keep the bonnet in place, Minimania's does.

Any other ideas?
 
Mine is hinged at the front. The only con I see is it's sometimes hard to close the hood properly. I usually lower the hood from the driver's side and because of the weight, the passenger side will touch the rest of the body first. The hood seal on the passenger side gets stuck between the hood and the body and I have to lift up the passenger side and tuck it back in place. It's not a big deal but it's annoying sometimes.
 
I agree with Ted about it being awkward to close and open.
 
I have to jog from side to side to "latch" it anyway. Not that these cars are so big that it's a hassle to get from side to side!!!
 
But boy is the regular hinge bonnet heavy and gets more so the older you get.
 
Another advantage to the front-flip!! No lifting, just pivoting!
 
Gerard's Garage website is undergoing a major change so that link you posted Boz is broken.

Guess we'll have to wait.
 
Some various type latches available.

The Spitfire latch is very common.
photo from frogeyespares.co.uk
FosFrogPencombeSideView.jpg


Leather straps.
photo from sebringsprite.com
CoulthardPMO-18-web.gif


And sebringsprite.com also makes replicas of the original Sebring Sprite latches
AAnsteadsebring3-web.gif


Spring holders were never really refined enough for the street
photo from sebringsprite.com
1989-Marcle-web.gif
 
Guys

Me home comp is down and it has my transfer software.

I will try to fix it this wkend.

I copied a XKE style.

Patrick
 
Standing by. I think maybe, just maybe, Pat has the answer.
 
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