Fitting A Triumph Vitesse Bonnet

[buffywhisper]

Rebuilt  triumph vitesse and had a view problems along the way one being the fitting the bonnet 

Has any one fitted a bonnet to a vitesse and got all the gaps  correct i like to no how and which way you achieved it ?

I tried with and with out the bonnet springs ,locking the pivot plates behind the override and adjusting the tie rod,i get the bonnet almost in place but i get large gap tapering to small i am talking about where the door meets the bonnet ? I look forward to be hearing from you

regards 

chris

[Nick Jones]

Hi Chris,

 

Welcome.  Couple of pics might help explain your problem?  In general, tapering gaps at the bonnet/door line means that the front of the bonnet is either too high (gap wider at bottom) or too low (gap narrower at bottom).

 

The height is set using the slots in the pivot plates.  Occasionally it is necessary to make new plates with longer slots.

 

Cheers

 

Nick

[buffywhisper]

Hi nick

 

I thought of just that,  but in doing that the clearance between the thermostat housing and the bonnet is very close, However its worth a try and look into lowering the engine by removing the spacers under the engine mounts.Any way its food for thought thanks for your help 

ps Also the problem was generated by what i think when i re-skinned  the doors , these doors  look like they are out of square on the botten  edge or the panel was wrong when i welded it 

 

chris

[Nick Jones]

Lowering the engine - limiting factor is normally steering rack / sump clearance.

 

Any chance of pics?  Another way of judging bonnet height is to look along the swage line right down the side of the car.  Should be a straight line rising slightly front to rear.

 

Nick

[Mark]

I had lot's fun and games fitting the rebuilt bonnet to my Vitesse, not helped by the repro wings. It is difficult to get right. Make sure the adjusting bars are in really good condition, straight and true and that the adjuster turns easily. Also make sure that they are bolted tightly to the upright. Adjust the bonnet with the springs attached as I found that the tension of the springs can twist the bonnet, and  a little movement makes a big difference to the alignment. Make sure there is very little play where the bolts go through the pivot tubes. My car was off the chassis, new door skins etc. which all ads to the problem's. You need to get the doors true first which can lead to adjusting the front and rear tubs depending on whats been done to the car in the past, which in turn can cause other problems. Make sure there is no play in the hinges. Its a compromise at the end of the day, and you can get reasonable fitting panels but it is time consuming. 

 

Mark

[buffywhisper]

Hi mark

A lot of food for thought.I think i try to make longer pivot link plates first  and give that a try .Thank you for your help with this

regards

chris