Tom, Brad etal.
Make no mistakes. The stress fractures commonly found along the bonnet
latches are not from any sort of vibration. They are caused by using
the bonnet latches as handles to raise and lower the bonnet. The
correct method of lifting the bonnet is by the wheel openings and after
the middle of the bonnet clears the cowel, by that point.
This is a common malady found not only on Spits but also on Heralds
because they share the same sort of bonnet latch mechanism.
So, if you use the latch as a handle, stop immediately. If you don't,
then don't start and certainly don't let anybody else.
In an effort to "Keep the Spitfires Flying"
Regards,
Joe Curry
Tom O'Malley wrote:
>
> Brad writes...
>
> >Just a thought on adding that extra thickness. Keep in mind that the
> >latch bolts to the bonnet directly, anything you add in that area to
> >stiffen it up will force the edge of the bonnet out by that same
> >amount. That could be benificial and it could also be a hindrence
> >depending on the fit you currently have with your bonnet.
>
> He he...actually the fit in this area if pretty good just now thanks
> to a careful sculpturing with bondo three years ago. :-) Seriously,
> your point is well taken. The proposed 20 gauge reinforcement
> would only add .036" which I *hope* will not create a problem.
> I'm eyeballing a spare bonnet latch right now as I type this, looking
> to see if adjustment is possible. Near as I can tell, if I run into
> fit problems I can shave the three mounting points to re-establish the
> original geometry. I'd then follow this up with additional
> strengthening to the *backs* of these mounts. Should work...I think.
> :-)
>
> Another infamous area for stress cracking is around the headlamp
> bezels on the inside...where the 90 degree bend is. Is this only a
> squaretail problem or do you folks with the earlier cars get this too?
> This one reminds me of my '67 Vette with the motorized headlamp
> buckets. Had 'em fixed maybe five times over the ten years I owned
> the car. No joy. :-(
>
> Cheers!
> Tom O'Malley in Southbridge Massachusetts
> '74, '77 Spits
--
"If you can't excel with talent, triumph with effort."
-- Dave Weinbaum in National Enquirer
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