1146 replies to this topic

[Shifty]

I don't know which one it's supposed to be in, but I'd just undo it and then see which of the 3 it fits best with when the bonnet is closed.

[minimuk]

Hugh, I just checked your tread, check Page 7!!!!, your bonnet hinge is bolted on the rear hole, closest to the bulkhead panel,.. That will give you 3/4 of an inch easely,..... close the bonnet onto the slam-pannel and try and fit the wing back on, bet you will find some of that inch already,.....let us know

[hughJ]

Screaming !!

First an apology to the sensitive people who heard me say I hated my Mini yesterday. You can't hate them but I don't have much feelings of affection just now. But in the middle of all this I am amazed at the kindness and help given to me by people I have never met. A huge thank you. minimuk that is beyond kindness to go through my post and find the pictures on page 7 for me. I should have checked myself. I didn't think I had taken any photos of the hinges, even by accident. Shifty and Neil I do thank you. And Carlos thanks for keeping in touch.

I've spent another evening bending, adjusting, hitting but mostly weeping. Come on man up!!

I took these of how I left things last night

Bonnet at right side



and middle



and left



As you can see the gap is not parallel and not a lot more adjusting rearwards. I raised it a little as it was sitting low and took it back a little

right



middle



left



I think that is about as good as I can get

This is to show how the level is





And now at the front - I've removed the front panel - left



and right



Its still a good bit out. I have the hinges in the rear hole and the position of the hinge going by the old paint is pretty much the same - it is raised a bit. The hinges rubbed on the edge of the scuttle just at one point so adjusted the lip with a panel beating hammer. That shows the scuttle has moved forward a little, but I'm sure not by an inch. I'm certain its the scuttle as part of the windscreen surround that's the problem. I hated fitting that panel - if you can call it "fitting". Its the only Heritage panel I've bought but the one I've found the most difficult to fit. I did describe its as being for a Transit!

I've mocked up the front a little - have to pick up self tappers to hold things in place.



But the bonnet stands proud



Do you think the curve can be bent back a bit?!

Sorry to be giving all my woes. I do appreciate the advice. I've never done anything like this before. How some of you guys do it more than once I do not know.

Missering along

Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 17 February 2012 - 08:58 PM.

[Shifty]

I'd bend the bonnet a little, be careful as its easy to kink them!!

[hughJ]

Wow Shifty - that's an instant response - its like talking to you!! Thank you. I'll try and be careful. But you've seen what I can get up to!

Hugh

[sonikk4]

Like Shifty said Hugh but when you push the bonnet see where the sides start to bulge out. Then cut a slot and vee it slightly in both sides to stop the edges from splaying out. If you are happy that the bonnet lines up tack the slot, check the front edge again and if happy weld it all up.

I did this on Erms bonnet and it worked nicely you just have to careful with how much pressure you apply as like Shifty has said you will kink the bonnet.

I hope this makes sense.

[grahama]

Hugh,

oh the joy of front ends!! I STILL haven't got to mine and I know I have an a panel to cut, the bonet to trim down as mine is tight all round. I understand your screaming though lol. You will get there in the end I'm sure. Got my paint the other day, the dreaded rustoleum !!! has yours hardened up at all? If not do you think it's the temps as I read somewhere it needs higher temps before it cures properly !!

Anyway, looking good even if you are screaming, engines in the living room here so need to get a shift on with that first lol !!

Graham

[minimuk]

I don't want to interupt the excitement, but,...... before bending anything back, although that seems to be the obvious choise,.........offer the grill to the front panel and attach the chrome bonnet lip to the bonnet,...see where you are then. Just to make sure you bend enough or not to much. Have you got the A-panel trial fitted 2? does the wing line up and is there a nice tight gap between wing and scuttle end??

[hughJ]

Not weeping, just whimpering

Neil, thanks for the advice. I've had a look at your article on getting gaps right - what amazing work. That was hours of patient and fantastic work! Graham, thanks for always encouraging. My paint still comes off easily. I think that is probably my poor preparation. I notice you are so careful in every job you do - probably you will get it perfect. And minimuk I am trial fitting and trial fitting and trial fitting!!

I've spent a few hours today twisting, bending, hitting, grunting, grinding, drilling, cutting and sometimes whimpering.

It is not looking quite so bad but still bad

I've got the left wing on held with self tappers.



Quite pleased with this - and this is the side that had more repairs



This is better than last night - I've now got about half an inch to take in - that can be bent in now!





But the right side is baaad!





But not so bad at the front



This shows how bad it is. I have to stretch the curve just a bid and get it a bit higher. Maybe put some steel under to pack it higher!



And one of the A-panels



I may have to build the lip at the back of it a bit. It can be make to look quite good against the door. I gather they have to have a few welds put behind them once the lip is folded over. I could use that to hold them in position. I would really like to drill three holes and put plug welds in from the outside but that would probably ruin the look of the panel.

Well its back to being Arctic. I took this just when I came in from the garage



I'm just going to do an hour or so each night next week urging the panels into place. I will have to send off for Stone Chip Shield and get the inside of these panels protected before I weld them.

This is a really horrid job

Whimpering along

Hugh

Edited by hughJ, 18 February 2012 - 09:08 PM.

[Andrew O]

Well it's certainly looking much much better.
Me and you are at the exact same stage as I did this on my Mini today ( Take a look )
Stick with it, You'll get there

[minimuk]

Ok got yeh, did you bend-in the wing lip near the scuttle panel on the driver's side, if you have bend it back again and start again, set it tight to the scuttle and you will see yr A-panel will be good, center yr bonnet again, you might have to push your wings tighter onto the inner wings so your gaps between wings and bonnet are 5mm-8mm? Then have a go with bending the bonnet front. You are getting there. We all be watching yuz

[ToM 2012]

looking good Hugh j keep going at it

[Shifty]

Wings are sitting too low at the rear.

[deebo]

fair play hugh, your a much more patient man than i. i would have started a fight with the car by now its comming along nice though. pannels will come together, just need to be convinced with a few taps on a wood block to the seams, will ease out the metal. steel takes a lot longer than lead work but it does work eventually.

dom.

[oli]

Wings are sitting too low at the rear.

Defo, not right round the scuttle, Should line up with the swage line in the door panel, rear quart and top of A panel