• Hi Guest!
    You can help ensure that British Car Forum (BCF) continues to provide a great place to engage in the British car hobby! If you find BCF a beneficial community, please consider supporting our efforts with a subscription.
    There are some perks with a member upgrade!
    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Subscribers don't see this gawd-aweful banner
Tips
Tips

Indexing hood hinges

Share this page

kcbugeye1275

kcbugeye1275

Jedi Knight
Offline
In my last BE restoration my bodyman buddy, Mike, suggested that after we got the hood properly adjusted to drill holes in the hinges through the suporting material under the hinges before taking the bonnet off so that when you reinstall, you can get some bolts in the hinges, then position the hinges by setting the bits back into the holes and simply tighten the bolts. Your bonnet should be properly positioned on the hinges. Sadly, we had to pull the engine out of another friends BE, John, last night, but before taking the hinges off. we did drill the hinges. In a week or two, we'll be putting it back together, and this step should make things easier.
 
Where exactly do you need to drill the holes? I've got to pull my bonnet this winter for the new motor, and I'd love to be able to get it re-installed as easily as possible.

As always, I love pictures.
 
Good tip. We do this all the time with fenders, hoods and deck lids.
 
I don't think it matters much. We drilled a hole on each side of the hinge. between the bolts. Don't see how it could go wrong(except the heavy hand drilling through the bonnet).
 
How big of a drill bit did you use? I realize it doesn't matter too much, but more details are comforting to we inexperienced folks.

I suppose it's probably really important to make sure the bonnet is properly aligned before drilling the holes, eh?
 
I would think 1/8" would be about right.
 
I usually use a 1/8" bit. To line it all back up, put a couple bolts in each hinge. Insert the drill bit through the hinge and the hood crossmember. Snug the hinge bolts and check the fit. Works very well.

Great tip!
 
Thanks -- I'll have to do this when I pull the bonnet (probably not until spring at this point).
 
Back
Top