Bonnet hinge conversion

[MikeE]

Can someone point me in the direction of these kits and advise if there's anyone in the southeast (woking) who could fit it for me?

Thanks

[Dischordant]

+1 as above!

[UpTheIron]

Another related question...

I've got a different conversion on my car now, I won't say from where so I don't get told off for advertising, but it's very good and the bonnet slides forwards on rails to allow a wide opening.

I had previously had the DIY one with the hinges from Mr Chips, and whilst there is nothing wrong with it, it was difficult to get the bonnet wide open, even with a lot of sanding, cutting and grinding... I took my car to a well known TVR shop for their views to fixing some of my (minor) niggles with that conversion and they came up with a different solution, hence I became their prototype...

The only headache I have is that the service bonnet will regularly pop open as the bolts in the middle of the main bonnet are no longer present... which is something that also happened with the MrChips hinges. Has anyone found a better solution than the OE ball joint? If not I'll investigate re-instating the middle bolts, although this moves away from a quick/easy opening flip-bonnet IMHO, or alternatively I'll consider bonding the service bonnet to the main bonnet and losing the front bolts... after all as the main one opens, that wouldn't be an issue!

[MrChips]

UpTheIron said:

Another related question...

I've got a different conversion on my car now, I won't say from where so I don't get told off for advertising, but it's very good and the bonnet slides forwards on rails to allow a wide opening.

I had previously had the DIY one with the hinges from Mr Chips, and whilst there is nothing wrong with it, it was difficult to get the bonnet wide open, even with a lot of sanding, cutting and grinding... I took my car to a well known TVR shop for their views to fixing some of my (minor) niggles with that conversion and they came up with a different solution, hence I became their prototype...

The only headache I have is that the service bonnet will regularly pop open as the bolts in the middle of the main bonnet are no longer present... which is something that also happened with the MrChips hinges. Has anyone found a better solution than the OE ball joint? If not I'll investigate re-instating the middle bolts, although this moves away from a quick/easy opening flip-bonnet IMHO, or alternatively I'll consider bonding the service bonnet to the main bonnet and losing the front bolts... after all as the main one opens, that wouldn't be an issue!

Have you still got gas struts? Even using the middle nuts to ensure the main bonnet was held down, the gas struts I did have fitted still pushed the lower half of the main bonnet up so that it deformed when hot and this in turn kept popping the service bonnet.
Not sure if it's a mk2 thing though as I have absolutely zero clearance between the bonnets. I'm thinking of now actually removing some material from the front of the main bonnet around the fan holes just to ensure I have some clearance and can get the service bonnet to sit a little lower as well.

I really like the look of Alans kit, and it's great that there are now a few different methods and options for people looking to get it done!

[BobE]

MikeE said:

Can someone point me in the direction of these kits and advise if there's anyone in the southeast (woking) who could fit it for me?

Thanks

Here is the advert by Allan:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/parts-and-p...

[allan howell]

Hi Guys, I normally don't get involved with other peoples work but i feel i must stick my nose in here, This concerns the Mk2 cars, The only problem is the front number plate and it's the way in which it is fastened to the car as the bracket which it is on spans the two main bolts which are used for the Bonnets new hinges But there is a very simple solution to this and it means you don't have to cut anything and you don't have to do anything drastic like bonding both Bonnets together as that defeats the idea of having a service Bonnet, I will try and help anyone out of a problem as iv'e done lots of coversions i know lots of answers, If you want any part of my Kit you are more than wellcome, If you go onto the TVRcc site you can get my email address also my phone number, Regards, Allan.

[nevm3]

Have done a Mr.Chips conversion, bonnet fully opens and no struts restricting access.In my humble opinion these struts defeats object of flip bonnet?

[glow worm]

I got my convertible (same as a MK2) done 6 years ago ( I gave Mr Chips the hinge drawings ) and don't have any problems with the number plate holder (other than it rusting and getting it powdercoated) or the gas struts ( using variable pressure ones set optimally) .

Edited by glow worm on Friday 7th November 18:34

[m4tti]

glow worm said:

I got my convertible (same as a MK2) done 6 years ago ( I gave Mr Chips the hinge drawings ) and don't have any problems with the number plate holder (other than it rusting and getting it powdercoated) or the gas struts ( using variable pressure ones set optimally) .

Edited by glow worm on Friday 7th November 18:34

Woah woah woah...

Let's compare pictures :

Glow worm this is you car isn't it



I don't think it matters whether you use the hinge or the rose joint.

The king of opening bonnets, and the oscar for bonnet conversions goes to the man: Walford




Alan how much work would it take to get to Walfords conversion.

Edited by m4tti on Friday 7th November 22:20

[allan howell]

Yes you can have the Bonnet open as much as you want but you don't see cars with Bonnets opening as much as that, I would be afraid to leave it like that if i was at a show in the middle of a field cos if the wind got hold of it i could see an awfull lot of damage being done, Cos it looks like the stays are at the bottom front which makes the Bonnet very vunrable to be very wobbly,
In my opinion i think the red car as a much more professional look to it with the Bonnet stays being nearer the top end of the Bonnet giving them much more strength when open.
However if someone wanted the Bonnet to open virticle then it would'nt take much to do it.

Edited by allan howell on Saturday 8th November 09:33

[glow worm]

m4tti said:

Woah woah woah...

Let's compare pictures :

Glow worm this is you car isn't it



I don't think it matters whether you use the hinge or the rose joint.

The king of opening bonnets, and the oscar for bonnet conversions goes to the man: Walford




Alan how much work would it take to get to Walfords conversion.

Edited by m4tti on Friday 7th November 22:20

I just wanted to be able to access my engine, I didn't want a land yacht

[m4tti]

glow worm said:

I just wanted to be able to access my engine, I didn't want a land yacht

I like your style.. your right the full open is a bit of shrimp catcher. I think we need a definite half way house, which i think Alans alluding to above.

[allan howell]

allan howell said:

Yes you can have the Bonnet open as much as you want but you don't see cars with Bonnets opening as much as that, I would be afraid to leave it like that if i was at a show in the middle of a field cos if the wind got hold of it i could see an awfull lot of damage being done, Cos it looks like the stays are at the bottom front which makes the Bonnet very vunrable to be very wobbly,
In my opinion i think the red car as a much more professional look to it with the Bonnet stays being nearer the top end of the Bonnet giving them much more strength when open.
However if someone wanted the Bonnet to open virticle then it would'nt take much to do it.

Edited by allan howell on Saturday 8th November 09:33

[cerberatony]

Thanks Alan here is how it turned out

Edited by cerberatony on Saturday 22 November 20:20

[travelbug63]

Hi all,

I was just wondering, it's been mentioned by a couple of people but did anyone find out if there is someone in Surrey, or in my case West Sussex area who can fit these kits ?

[Findles]

Another 'hats-off' and thank you to Allan Howell for the bonnet conversion work he did on mine on Friday after a very pleasant drive up to the north east. The parts all look particularly well engineered and Allan takes a very obvious pride in his work. Having been dropped off in Darlington (thank you Mrs H) for a bit of lunch and some Chrimbo shopping the car was ready at 2pm

Very pleased with the outcome, something i've been meaning to do since i bought the car in the spring - now just need to clean up that engine bay!


Have noticed that the underside of the bonnet has no heat shield on it; does anyone have a good picture of the right area(s) of the underside of the bonnet to indicate exactly where it should be applied?

[SAW4H]

Hi,
I would like to get this done, I am down in West Sussex too. Might get the kit and DIY it.

[Niftynoo]

Have noticed that the underside of the bonnet has no heat shield on it; does anyone have a good picture of the right area(s) of the underside of the bonnet to indicate exactly where it should be applied?
[/quote]

Findles - Allan has some heat shield on his Tuscan, there used to be a pic. on his TVRCC advert (now deleted) but I'm sure if you contact him he'll send a pic. down to you. I got some on his recommendation, yet to be applied though, www.thermalvelocity.co.uk RHS/1000/1000
.

[Findles]

Thanks Roger, I'll check it out

[KenInOntario]

I bought Allan's kit for my Tuscan.

I installed it yesterday, with no troubles whatsoever. Allan provides very detailed instructions, and is very responsive.

I would highly recommend the conversion to anyone thinking of doing it