Lifting bonnet by the bumper?

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 9:31 am

Is it safe to lift the S2 bonnet by the bumper?

I need to remove my bonnet and the only place to store it is hanging from the rafters. Going to lift at the back by a 2x1 batten hooked onto the locating lugs for the bonnet catches. But at the front was thinking of supporting by the bumper (checking for security of it first). Probably add a few extra straps through the bonnet front opening as a belt and braces approach, with old sheets or towels to protect the paint/chrome and spread the load from the rope/ratchet straps.

Any thoughts?

Thanks
Geoff

Post by **mgcjag** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 10:03 am

Hi Geof....do u not have enough room to stand it on its end against a wall ...it is heavy and takes at least 2 to lift it off the car.....personaly would not hang as u suggest just incase anything bends......although im sure u could......u can remove the bonnet single handed if required by opening it forward towards a wall....chocking up under the bumper and tying against the wall then removing the bolts fixing it to the frame......there is a post and photos somewere on the forum......good luck Steve

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 10:24 am

Steve, sadly, no I can't stand it up against a wall. I need all the space in the garage hence the idea of lifting it up out of the way.
I have a pulley block and tackle to do the lifting at the front and the back will be at height from when it is open.
There's an excellent thread on taking ten minutes to remove the bonnet, which I would follow if the garage was long enough.
By taking the bonnet off, I'll gain enough distance rolling the car forward to get better access at the back to take off the IRS.

Post by **mgcjag** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 11:18 am

Hi Geoff..how about makeing up a framework platform to sit the bonnet on then lifting the whole thing up.......

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 5:58 pm

Hi Steve, your frame suggestion has helped crystallise my ideas. A sort of frame at the front with the batten at the back will keep the proper shape and support the bonnet. Thanks

Moeregaard · Post by **Moeregaard** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:01 pm

I would support the bonnet using Steve's suggestion, using the forward brackets as attach points. As anyone who has ever removed an E-Type bonnet knows, the center of gravity is pretty far forward and most of the weight is supported by the brackets anyway. I would not use the bumper for lifting or suspending the bonnet.

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Sat Jan 24, 2015 7:25 pm

Thanks Moe, with your comments and Steve's it has really helped me decide on the best way with the limited space I've got. Won't use the bumpers, but looking inside the air ducts show good structural points to share the load without deformation. Spreading the load widely, too.

Regards to both of you
Geoff

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 5:49 pm

Had to admit defeat. Without making up quite a structure to support it just wasn't going to work to lift and store hung from the rafters. Lost a day getting nowhere, then did as suggested and lowered the bonnet to the floor and stood upright against the wall.
Takes up valuable space, but looks like I can just get the IRS out.

Why did I try to be different? It seemed such an easy thing on paper. Grrr!! :(

abowie · Post by **abowie** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 10:32 pm

Fix 2 beams across the width of the garage, but only 4 feet apart. Fix a piece of 8x4 ply to the beams to make a shelf. Put an old child's bed mattress on top of this.

The 4 foot measurement is deliberately shorter than the bonnet to allow you to reach the bonnet from either side of the shelf when putting it up there. Store the bonnet upside down on top of the mattress. I store my bonnet inside an old quilt cover to protect it.

288gto · Post by **288gto** » Mon Jan 26, 2015 11:11 pm

Hi Geoff,

Sorry to hear you've been struggling. Forgive me if I am stating the obvious but what about standing the bonnet on carpet on its back edge with the inside facing the front of the car and push the car forward into the inside hollow of the bonnet? The hinge points of the bonnet support frame should sit right into the bonnet where the vents are.
Only a thought. Looking forward to your progress reports.

Simon

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 9:48 am

Hi Simon

That is what I've ended up doing. Why didn't I consider it in the first place?

Was trying to give myself as much working space as possible. At least that's my excuse.

Couldn't lift the bonnet without potentially damaging it, so a mattress on the rafters won't work. But thanks for that idea.

Struggling to get the exhaust off to be able to drop the IRS. Have got the tail pipes off, but the interpipes are stubborn. May have to sacrifice them. The trials and tribulations of working on old cars. As bad as working on my even older aeroplane. :(

Diff looks fine inside. All cleaned out and ready for putting the back plate on again.

Will keep you up to date on progress.

Regards
Geoff

Gfhug · Post by **Gfhug** » Tue Jan 27, 2015 6:37 pm

Exhaust wouldn't come apart, so a trip to buy an angle grinder and cut through the interpipes. At least the exhaust isn't a stainless one. Hate to cut through that, and the extra cost of replacing even a small section.
The fun will be in cutting the remaining part away from the main silencer outlets without making a mess.

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

Link:
BBcode:
HTML:
	Hide post links

The 'E' Type Forum

Lifting bonnet by the bumper?

#1 Lifting bonnet by the bumper?

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12