I was thinking that I might employ some sort of hydraulic hatchback lifters
under my nearly perfect bonnet on my GT6 frame up rebuild. Then it could be
lifted with very little if any effort. I got the bonnet off a car (69 GT6+)
which was in bad shape rustwise because it had spent a lot of time at the beach
and no one ever opened the bonnet as far as I can tell. But the rust did not
extend too far into the bonnet. Has anyone ever heard of this being done? any
suggestions?
Barry Schwartz wrote:
> >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
> *******************************************
> I've got news for ya-I NEVER lift the bonnet by the latches. Haven't for
> over eighteen years. Ever since one broke and damn near tore my finger
> off. I still have the nasty scar on my right index finger to remind me.
> I Always lift from the wheel well arches, and the cones ARE adjusted
> properly, the latch just barely kisses the restraint so as not to cause any
> undue pressure. You can push sideways on the bonnet slightly and not feel
> the latch scrape. After many years of use on the GT6, I have stress
> cracks. The sharp corner on the cutout, relatively thin metal and
> vibration/chassis flex will cause stress and eventual fractures. Its the
> same vibration that eventually causes the small radius between the main
> bonnet surface and the head lamp bulges around the mounting area for the
> head lamp surrounds on square tail Spitfires and GT6's to crack. No
> lifting or latch restraints there. Poor (long term) design in these areas
> (remember, that these cars were surely not intended to be around 20 some
> years after the fact) The round tail has a different headlight mounting
> detail and as such doesn't suffer in that area. As for the reinforcements
> mentioned by another lister-those were to prevent buckling and to prevent
> the hood from opening in the event of a frontal collision-not to reinforce
> the bonnet in the latch area (although it may have some benefit)
>
> Barry Schwartz (San Diego) bschwart@pacbell.net
>
> 72 V6 Spitfire (daily driver)
> 70 GT6+ (when I don't drive the Spit)
> 70 Spitfire
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