I always lift mine by the latch enough to get my hand under the middle (by
the windshield). It's not the most comfortable edge, but keeps the bonnet
from twisting.
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-spitfires@autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spitfires@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of
Mike.Hopkins@mis.magna-europa.com
Sent: Wednesday, September 15, 1999 5:21 AM
To: Dean Dashwood; spitfires@autox.team.net
Subject: Re: 64 Spit Bonnet
I have heard similar things (lift by wheel arch) and go for the best of
both worlds i.e. lift by both the latch and wheel arch.
Mind you in a perfect world two persons are supposed to lift the bonnet and
how often is that second person available.
I personally think that spits are made of sterner stuff and the kid glove
treatment is sometimes over the top.
"Dean Dashwood" <ddashwoo@ect.enron.com> on 15/09/99 09:45:26
Please respond to "Dean Dashwood" <ddashwoo@ect.enron.com>
To: spitfires@autox.team.net, Goodlift@Sprintmail.Com
cc: (bcc: Mike Hopkins/Pers/MISLenham)
Subject: Re: 64 Spit Bonnet
On the subject of bonnets, what is the correct way to lift a bonnet?
I have always lifted mine by the latches, but I read somewhere (may even
have
been on this list, I can't remember) that this causes the bonnet to bend
and
eventually crack, and you should in fact lift the bonnet by the wheel
arches.
Is there any truth in this? Purely from the point of view of leverage, the
latch seems more sensible...
I hope that by next weekend my car will have returned from the garage
fitted
with a brand new shiny bonnet, for which I will have paid a vast sum of
money.
Since my bank manager is unlikely to let me spend a similar amount of money
again, I would like to make sure I look after this new bonnet!
Looking forward to hearing conflicting views!
Dean
-----------------
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 1999 10:12:14 -0400
From: Jerome Judge <Goodlift@Sprintmail.Com>
Subject: Re: 64 Spit Bonnet
Hi George:
I have a 72 GT6 but the hood is about the same as yours. There is quite
a bit of flex in my hood also. When I lift up from the drivers side it
is less, and I cannot lift the hood from the passenger side without
supporting from the middle. I do have a brace from each fender to a
tubular cross member, just the standard setup. I think what happens is
the latch roller, which runs up the ramp to the location pin gets hung
up. When you lift up one side it makes the hang up even worse. My only
suggestion is to be sure the latch roller is lubed and free. Also make
sure the ramp is smooth and lightly oiled.
Hope this helps.
Jerry Judge
Jupiter, Florida
EAKETT@aol.com wrote:
>
> I'm restoring early '64 Spit. I'm conerned with what I consider
excessive
> flexing of the bonnet. It is nearly impossible for one person to lift the
> bonnet without something getting scratched. Extreme care must be taken. I
> have checked all welds and also every book I can find to see if some
support
> is missing. Everything appears proper. Is this normal? Has anyone
addressed
> this problem by adding a stiffener of some sort?
>
> Thanks,
> George
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