[Healeys] bonnet adjustment

[bluechip]

Here's how I do it:   With a blanket across the front of the bonnet 
aperture, attach the bonnet to the hinges with the proper hardware with the 
nuts on the outside, just barely finger tight.  Attach a small vice-grip 
pliers to one of the bolt heads on each side (or other suitable means to 
keep the bolts from turning....another way is a homemade locking tab under 
both bolt heads on each side).  Carefully close the bonnet, pulling the 
blanket out when its almost closed.  Since the hinge bolts are loose, you 
can now position the bonnet to the proper position fore and aft, and up and 
down.  I use wood shims to urge it into position and keep it in position. 
Now with the front wheels off, you can reach the nuts with a 1/4" drive 
7/16" (or proper size Whitworth) socket on a looooong extension ....need at 
least two. A wobble nose extension works best, but I have used standard 
ones. You'll need a flashlight, and it takes a little patience.   The socket 
on a standard extension will approach the nuts at an angle, so you won't get 
them real tight, but tight enough that they will stay in place whilst you 
carefully re-open the bonnet (put the blanket back in place just in case). 
Then tighten them the rest of the way.

Sure beats the seven iteration trial and error method.

Jim Smith


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <rjmc46 at att.net>
To: "Austin Healey list" <healeys at autox.team.net>
Sent: Sunday, September 02, 2007 12:32 PM
Subject: [Healeys] bonnet adjustment


> Any one have a good method of installing the bonnet (hood) on a BN-1?
> Thanks,
> RJ