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Front Hinged BE Bonnet rubbing on radiator -

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Jim_Gruber

Jim_Gruber

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I've got an issue with Bugsy's BE Bonnet on my '68 Sprite rubbing on the PS underneath on the top of the radiator shroud. I believe I've got 1/2" or so of clearance with engine not running but when out and about and chassis and engine flexing I'm rubbing. Looking for a solution from others who nave gone before.

Back of bonnet touches right behind front wheels and gap at back of bonnet is perhaps 1/2"

Solution is to lower radiator and shroud OR raise bonnet in front thereby correcting panel gaps. I don't think I need to go much perhaps 1/2" at most, maybe less.

Possible solutions:
1) rebuild front tilt brackets adding 1/2"?

2) enlarge existing bonnet holes where it mounts to front tilt bracket so I can raise the front end without rebuilding bracket

3) Cut off edge of radiator shroud bracket where it is touching, would gain maybe 1/4" of clearance.

Biggest issue is figuring out just how much raising the front of bonnet by X translates to X clearance change at the rear.

Ideas guys?
 
Jim;
You just saved my life (my project). I have a problem with my front tilt fiberglass bonnet location (about 1/4" to far forward) and I was going to go home after work and just do it. I was going to mark the location of the bonnet in relationship to the hinges, then remove the bolts, move the bonnet back about 1/4", clamp in place and check the fit, It is about 1/2" to far forward. Seems to be close up and down. I never even thought about how it fits in relation to the top of the radiator. This is where you may have saved me. If I do not get distracted (the sun came out) I should be able to let you know it it worked out.
 
Paul,

I found I needed to modify parts of the radiator shroud in order to get clearance. Now If bonnet was actually higher in the front I would get proper radiator clearance plus I would line up better on the horizontal and vertical where the back of the bonnet meets the cowl. I don't need to move it much perhaps just a hair up to get the clearance and get the horizontal lines straight. As you can see in the pic below, bonnet touches in the front behind the wheel well but back egde sits too high to contact the body spacers/buffers in the rear mounted on the horizontal ledge/inside fender to keep the panel from cocking in at the bottom. Vertical lines on the top of the bonnet are too far out at the top as well. Bringing bonnet up a hair in the front should pivot up the back bottom edge where I fixed with a patch panel as well.

I could not believe how tight clearances are in order to forward mount a BE Bonnet. Lots of planning and tweaking needed. I was planning on leaving alone but I can see where radiator shroud is rubbing on the bottom of the bonnet.
 

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Jim;
What I did, was to first get the bonnet to fix as close to possible along the rear. First let me tell you that I am using a front tilt kit with a bumber. I removed the bolts attaching the bonnet to the tilt brackets. Then I moved the bonnet to within 1/8"--of where it should be in the rear. Then pushed the bumper up to the proper position. Used a couple of pipe clamps to hold the bonnet toward the rear, then rebolted the bonnet to the brackets.
That was all for last night. Next I will check how the radiator fits in relation to the bonnet and as you said tweak and re-tweak.
 
Sorry I was interupted by my boss.
After making sure of the clearence for the radiator I will install my rear latches. This will take some careful measurements. I am going to use some round fasteners that are used on aircraft panels. Can remember the name, but I purchase them from JEGS. I hope I can find them. Probably will not get to this until the weekend. My yard needs attention and the sun is coming out.
 
Dzus Fasteners.
Also available through Aircraft Spruce I think? Bigger selection than Jegs. My bonnet brackets came from Mini Mania $24.95 for the pair. 5 small screws to mount and you are done. Tolerances are not nearly as critical as Dzus fasteners. You'll find the bonnet has a lot of flex and motion to it that you need to have a lot of tolerances and clearances.
 
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