13 replies to this topic

[alpder]

Just fitted the bonnet for the first time to a UK '64 estate. Appears to be a new scuttle on the shell (most of the welding is before my ownership).

 

Side gaps are good: parallel and modest tho' it's offset to the nearside (easily fixed). But scuttle gap is tiny at the ends and huge in the middle. Is there much that can (or even should) be done about it?

 

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Edited by alpder, 19 December 2024 - 10:25 AM.

[stuart bowes]

that's not great is it,  I'm wondering where there are no LHD wiper holes, is that a heritage scuttle and someone's welded the holes in?  or some sort of aftermarket part..  

 

just going on the assumption that a replaced scuttle is more likely to be the cause rather than the original (?) bonnet

 

I suppose in theory it's less work to modify the bonnet than it is to re-do the front end of the car, but even that isn't a 'simple' job as such is it.. keeping the right shape while bashing the rear flange flat and/or doing any welding would be fun

Edited by stuart bowes, 19 December 2024 - 12:32 PM.

[alpder]

I assumed a new scuttle because it would be a miracle if the old one survived given the state of the rest of the car: there are so many new panels that there are more £-worth of panels in the car than the price I paid for it. All the new panels whose source I can identify - by the remaining stickers - are BMH. And they've tried to keep it Mk1-correct, as far as I can see. So perhaps they sourced a correct Mk1 scuttle from somewhere. I'll take a closer look at it later.

 

This thread https://mk1-forum.ne...=228556#p228556 shows a mod to the wing, rather than the bonnet, to correct a bad gap. But, really, the fit on mine is wrong at the ends, not the middle: the bonnet would benefit from sitting back by a quarter-inch. Which could - in theory - be achieved by pulling the folds near the corners on the bonnet forwards.

 

Anything I try would certainly be worse than just leaving it alone. So it's one for the pro's. How many of those out here in the sticks, though? Anyway, even though a full respray is unavoidable, the car is headed for a "patina" restore rather than a full gleaming factory-new treatment. So maybe I should just leave it. Not sure how ghastly or otherwise it will look when all painted.

[stuart bowes]

I suppose one alternative, and I'm just spitballing here really, you could cut out the middle / front section of the scuttle, just between the wings like this 

 

 

and then find a new scuttle which matches the right curve (and/or modify it accordingly), cut the matching piece out and weld that in to the car

 

I'm just trying to think of methods that don't involve taking the wings off or messing about with the bonnet which has a certain shape and will be difficult to maintain

 

it's either that or as you say modify the bonnet, but pushing it back a few mm would the front edge still line up.  and at first glance it does look like it matches up nicely with the join between scuttle and wings, it would be a shame to have to mess about with that

Edited by stuart bowes, 19 December 2024 - 02:17 PM.

[Midas Mk1]

I'd try a different bonnet first, with plenty of adjustment at the hinges, wouldnt go modifying the body yet.

Scuttle panel holes are correct for a mk1. 

[crossthread]

Just build up the edge of the scuttle with weld and then reshape with a bit of filler, or weld a length of 1/8th gas welding rod along the edge and reshape. The third and best option would be  to build up the gap with lead .

[alpder]

Scuttle is stickered BMH and has two holes neatly welded up.

[sonikk4]

If you decide to go down the sectioning method I would slit the bonnet rather than the scuttle.

It’s easier to rework the bonnet rather than the scuttle as you a easily access both sides of the bonnet unlike the scuttle.

I have seriously chopped and modifier the pattern bonnet on my lads car and also modified my clubby bonnet to close the gaps.

[stuart bowes]

you're probably right, the reason I would aim for the scuttle instead is that it's already fixed in place all along one edge (windscreen) and both ends (wings) also it's pressed into shape, so my assumption was that warping is pretty much a non-issue

 

although ,like you say, access to the underside is limited, or at least awkward

 

whereas cutting and shutting a bonnet just seemed to me to be asking for trouble keeping it in the right shape.  especially after all the aggro I've had working on my door skins .. 

 

I have seen some of the pics of your work though and it looks top notch, I must have a go at some of that 'welding on bits of welding rod' technique as it looks like it gives you a nice edge if nothing else

 

fair play to Midas suggestion to try other bonnets first though, good point

Edited by stuart bowes, 19 December 2024 - 03:56 PM.

[bpirie1000]

Little bit of modification not take some of that out..

By modify i mean sit on bonnet, squish the centre line alittle ..


Is the centre high off the scuttle with corners on the corner gutter? Little bending until your happy may do it...

[alpder]

Is the centre high off the scuttle with corners on the corner gutter? Little bending until your happy may do it...

Height-wise the bonnet is very good almost everywhere. A few mm high at the rear corners.

[weef]

It's hard to tell from your picture where the difference in profile lies. I would measure the curve of the scuttle using the windscreen edge as a datum to see if the scuttle curve is constant and do the same for the rear curve of the bonnet. This gives you an idea where the difference is and might help you decide the way forward. For me, as the bonnet will have to be refinnished to match the car, modifying the rear edge of the bonnet would be preferable, building up the rear edge using your preferred method and reprofiling to suite the scuttle.

[alpder]

Thanks everyone. Several options there I hadn't thought of. No rush... won't be going to paint for months... so I'll give it some thought.

[Ethel]

You really need to look at it in the round. As bpirie1000 says, you can magic up a fair bit by massaging the profile of loose panels, boot lids, bonnets etc. If you've got a decent fit at the front edge, clamp it down solidly with some bracing. It doesn't have to be on the car as long as you keep the profile. Then persuade it with ratchet straps, jacks, chocks, wedges to spring or flatten wherever is necessary. Just use plenty of padding & load spreading to avoid denting it. It could be you have to make it too big in close areas to bridge where there are gaps, but it'll be easier to take dimension off a panel edge than add it.