Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi,

The bonnet (hood) fit on my +2 is horrendous, even worse than the doors and
that is saying something.

The worse area is in line with the carbs/exhaust where it sags below the
wing edge by at least 10mm.

All the paint is off the car, so now is the time to correct the fit, but
short of building up the bonnet by a large amount which would not be very
practical, I cannot think what else to do.

Any suggestions?

Ta,

David

David,

I'm not quite sure where the bonnet does not fit, but you should check the following.

Are the front bobbins in either/both the bonnet or wings worn ? If so you need to repair them

There should be some adjustment in the domed pins that engage with the bonnet catches. If not you might have to remove the bonnet catches and relocate them higher on the bulkhead.

Sean Murray
----- Original Message -----
From: ALLEN, David
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 3:49 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet fit


Hi,

The bonnet (hood) fit on my +2 is horrendous, even worse than the doors and
that is saying something.

The worse area is in line with the carbs/exhaust where it sags below the
wing edge by at least 10mm.

All the paint is off the car, so now is the time to correct the fit, but
short of building up the bonnet by a large amount which would not be very
practical, I cannot think what else to do.

Any suggestions?

Ta,

David















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***@***.***

The problem is corners of the bonnet face line up, within reason, with the
wing corners, so moving the bobbins/catches will make matters worse.

If you can imagine, the curve of the bonnet between the corners is a greater
radius than the curve of the wing and consequently it sags in the middle.


David

-----Original Message-----
From: Sean Murray [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 16 May 2005 16:40
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet fit


David,

I'm not quite sure where the bonnet does not fit, but you should check the
following.

Are the front bobbins in either/both the bonnet or wings worn ? If so you
need to repair them

There should be some adjustment in the domed pins that engage with the
bonnet catches. If not you might have to remove the bonnet catches and
relocate them higher on the bulkhead.

Sean Murray
----- Original Message -----
From: ALLEN, David
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 3:49 PM
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet fit


Hi,

The bonnet (hood) fit on my +2 is horrendous, even worse than the doors
and
that is saying something.

The worse area is in line with the carbs/exhaust where it sags below the
wing edge by at least 10mm.

All the paint is off the car, so now is the time to correct the fit, but
short of building up the bonnet by a large amount which would not be very
practical, I cannot think what else to do.

Any suggestions?

Ta,

David















----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--






***@***.***

I know the Plus2 is a fair bit different but curve on the bonnet of my S2
varies depending on how tight the springs are at the front. It seems very
flexible and never lines up properly. When I paint the car I intend to
glass some metal ribs onto the underside to hold it at the right shape.
Don't see why that wouldn't work, anybody else done this?

Peter
66S2
----- Original Message -----

David,

On my 1968 Plus2 there's a steel tube across the leading edge of the
bonnet, with fairly thin but wide steel 'arms' attached to it on each
side. They extend back almost to the rear corners, and are riveted to
the bonnet sides. They should stop the bonnet side edges from flexing
vertically (I'm not sure if this is the same on later models).
Maybe yours are bent or missing?

Cheers,

Ron.

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...> wrote:

Ron
I agree..I have extra steel 'reinforcement' around parts of the edges of my bonnet too!!!!
although mine is a very early bonnet and doesnt have the hand holes in it either
cheers
G

Yes, I have the steel tube along the front, and the "arms" but they only
extend back about a foot. The bonnet is pot riveted onto them.

Should these be longer? They would certainly help the bonnet retain it's
correct shape. I wonder if they were shortened to prevent the driver being
"speared" in an accident?

What about other members cars?

-----Original Message-----
From: ronrusselluk [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 17 May 2005 09:40
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet fit


David,

On my 1968 Plus2 there's a steel tube across the leading edge of the
bonnet, with fairly thin but wide steel 'arms' attached to it on each
side. They extend back almost to the rear corners, and are riveted to
the bonnet sides. They should stop the bonnet side edges from flexing
vertically (I'm not sure if this is the same on later models).
Maybe yours are bent or missing?

Cheers,

Ron.

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...> wrote:

David
do you not also have a similar frame at the cockpit end on the bonnet too?......
cheers
G

Yes, this is a box section onto which the catches are mounted.


On your car, is this connected to the "arms"?

David

-----Original Message-----
From: ***@***.***lto:***@***.***
Sent: 17 May 2005 11:06
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet fit


David
do you not also have a similar frame at the cockpit end on the bonnet
too?......
cheers
G

no......it sounds like you have all the relevant under bonet steelwork in place......
have you thought about adding a central steel member say attatched to the legs of the front frame and then lifting the bulkhead catches.....but I cant understand how its lower at the edges....the edge should be the stiff part of the bonnet and in theory shouidnt sag....
what about sticking a pic on the elan.net?....then we can all have a look......or even a brief video clip.....
cheers
g

Hi,

The bonnet fit saga continues.........

I had a look at the workshop manual last night, and the steel arms on the
front bar are shown extending nearly to the rear of the bonnet. However, on
my car they are only approx 12" long.

Could someone with a +71 elan +2 please let me know how long their arms are?
It could explain why my bonnet has sagged in the middle edge edges.

The question is how to how do I get a good fit? One possibility is I cut
through the vertical sides which would allow me the bend the bonnet to the
correct shape. I was then planning to hold it in place with ally strip
rivetted in place while I glass over the inner edge. Is this practical? I
don't wish to cut slots in the lip just to find I cannot bend the bonnet!

Thanks in advance for any help.

David

-----Original Message-----
From: ronrusselluk [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 17 May 2005 09:40
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet fit


David,

On my 1968 Plus2 there's a steel tube across the leading edge of the
bonnet, with fairly thin but wide steel 'arms' attached to it on each
side. They extend back almost to the rear corners, and are riveted to
the bonnet sides. They should stop the bonnet side edges from flexing
vertically (I'm not sure if this is the same on later models).
Maybe yours are bent or missing?

Cheers,

Ron.

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...> wrote:

Mine are 13 3/8" overall, which takes them almost to the middle of the bonnet.

Ken. '71 Plus 2S

"ALLEN, David" <***@***.***> wrote:
Hi,

The bonnet fit saga continues.........

I had a look at the workshop manual last night, and the steel arms on the
front bar are shown extending nearly to the rear of the bonnet. However, on
my car they are only approx 12" long.

Could someone with a +71 elan +2 please let me know how long their arms are?
It could explain why my bonnet has sagged in the middle edge edges.

The question is how to how do I get a good fit? One possibility is I cut
through the vertical sides which would allow me the bend the bonnet to the
correct shape. I was then planning to hold it in place with ally strip
rivetted in place while I glass over the inner edge. Is this practical? I
don't wish to cut slots in the lip just to find I cannot bend the bonnet!

Thanks in advance for any help.

David


__________________________________________________

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David,

My 70 Plus Two originally had short strips, extending just up to the bonnet prop pivot. Many years ago, I noticed stress cracks starting around this area. I reinforced this side almost along its complete length with a strip of 16 gauge 18" x 1 1/2" pop riveted insidecthe edge, undernath the original strip. My 68 Plus Two (restoration job) has a box section frame all round, definitely overkill, it will have to come out !

Sean Murray


----- Original Message -----

From: ALLEN, David
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Wednesday, May 18, 2005 12:59 PM
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet fit


Hi,

The bonnet fit saga continues.........

I had a look at the workshop manual last night, and the steel arms on the
front bar are shown extending nearly to the rear of the bonnet. However, on
my car they are only approx 12" long.

Could someone with a +71 elan +2 please let me know how long their arms are?
It could explain why my bonnet has sagged in the middle edge edges.

The question is how to how do I get a good fit? One possibility is I cut
through the vertical sides which would allow me the bend the bonnet to the
correct shape. I was then planning to hold it in place with ally strip
rivetted in place while I glass over the inner edge. Is this practical? I
don't wish to cut slots in the lip just to find I cannot bend the bonnet!

Thanks in advance for any help.

David

-----Original Message-----

To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] Bonnet fit


David,

On my 1968 Plus2 there's a steel tube across the leading edge of the
bonnet, with fairly thin but wide steel 'arms' attached to it on each
side. They extend back almost to the rear corners, and are riveted to
the bonnet sides. They should stop the bonnet side edges from flexing
vertically (I'm not sure if this is the same on later models).
Maybe yours are bent or missing?

Cheers,

Ron.

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...> wrote:




































------------------------------------------------------------------------------






***@***.***

Hi,

Once I have to get the bonnet fitting correctly I can get my +2 down to the
paint shop. As I have mentioned before the bonnet has not sufficient curve
and consequently sags in the middle.

The only solution I can think of to rectify the situation is to cut through
the upright sections, bend the bonnet to the correct shape and re-glass
whilst holding it with ally strips riveted to the sides.

The question is will I be able to bend the bonnet? Has anyone ever tried
bending a large and quite thick section of fibreglass?

Thanks in advance.

David


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On Wed, 25 May 2005 16:47:51 +0100, "ALLEN, David"
<***@***.***> wrote:


Not easy and you will ultimately end up with gel coat cracks
everywhere which will make a mess of any new paint job. Are you
really sure the rest of the bodywork is correct and its the bonnet at
fault? I'd be tempted to bite the bullet and buy a new or good
condition secondhand bonnet instead.

Martin

72/45


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