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Tips
Tips

Tips or installing Bugeye bonnet needed

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ichthos

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After a very long restoration I am finally ready to put on the bonnet. I admit I am dreading this as it seems like it doesn't take much to mess up a very nice paint job. There will just be my wife and myself. Does anyone have any tips on how to do this? Any suggestions would greatly be appreciated.
Kevin
 
Kevin, I do mine buy myself utilizing a sling along with a pulley system that goes up to the rafters. I also am forward tilting and have a Rustoleum Paint job easy to touch up. If I were you I'd recruit another adult male and use your wife as a spotter as to insert 1) screwdrivers as initial alignment dowels 2) Get the bolts started while the manly men hold up the bonnet.
 
I used 3 people to get it on. Two guys to hold the bonnet, and one (me) to get things lined up. It's not terrifically heavy, but it is very awkward.
 
Kevin, where do you live? Send in a PM if you want.
You know there are Spridget guys around here, I'm sure some of us could spare a few minutes to help with this delicate operation. I've scratched up enough paint putting square body bonnets on and that's relatively easy compared to a Bugeye bonnet.

Rick
 
I guess the consensus is I need three people. One last question, do you attach the hinges to the bonnet first, or do you install the hinges first and attach the bonnet to the hinges? It is very nice of you to offer, Rick, but I know I am too far from you. I live in Rochester, about a half hour south of Olympia. I think I will try and recruit my son from Seattle. Besides, at least I can see my grand daughters that way. Thanks, Kevin
 
Usually best to install the hinges first then add the bonnet to that. Another suggestion that has helped me is to put some blue masking tape along the body and bonnet where the two might accidentally touch. This can be removed as soon as you have some bolts installed if it gets in the way.
 
I live in Kelso, so it's not to far for me. After all, I do the gatherings held in the greater Seattle area from here. This weekend is out because of my girlfriends birthday. How much of hurry are you in?
 
Cut the heads off a few extra screws so that you have a stud that you put a nut on. 1 or 2 per hinge, then remove them once you have some other screws in.

Oh, and a few towels on the scuttle.

Peter C
 
I climb inside, have 2 guys set the bonnet on the car and I bolt it up
from inside the engine bay.
This is BEFORE the engine goes in.
 
Thanks for all the tips. I already have the engine in. And thanks for the offer Bill. I am still hoping to join up with one of your meetings this year to work on the finer points. At least I know my car runs and I can actually get there. I was able to get my son to come next week end and bring my grand daughters at the same time! I should have it on next weekend if all goes well. I will post some pics when I am all done. If you have any other tips before then, I would appreciate your posting them. Thanks again, Kevin
 
Good luck, Kevin. I didn't have too much trouble installing mine. I made sure to have all the bolts, washers, and wrenches right at hand, so I could move quickly once the guys had the bonnet in place. It took a couple tighten/loosen back up cycles to get it lined up perfectly, but wasn't too bad. My hinges were already in place.
 
we've heard blue tape, but, use towels or blankets till you have the bolts on. Not sure what the hinges exactly look, like on a bugeye, but, I found it easier to just put one bolt on each hinge (to the hood) then I only had one bolt to loosen/tighten till everything was aligned. then I put in the rest. Also, consider putting something like a nylon washer on the bolt then you can tighten it "mostly tight" tight enough to hold everything in place but loose enough that you can move the hood against the friction without having to loosen the bolt.
 
kellysguy said:
drooartz said:
I used 3 people to get it on.
Click to expand...
:whistle:
( <span style="font-style: italic">whooosh</span>.....~STRIKE TWO~ !!!! .....) :wink:
Click to expand...
Don't make me come down there...
grin.gif
 
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