Now that we've finally picked up the car, Thompn4 and I are beginning to go through and figure out what needs to be done to get her into daily driving shape. Can anyone provide us with a photo of the area around the hood hinges or a diagram of this assembly? I think we're missing some springs/other hardware required to keep the hood open, as it currently needs to be propped other wise it will shut. It looks as though there are some parts missing, and I'll post a pic of it later.

 

Hey babyclaude,

Some shops or mechanics will remove the hinge connecting to the bonnet in order to remove the radiator or disconnect the bonnet entirely. Here is an exploded diagram with part numbers.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ucqavf7wro...et%20hinge.jpg

 

Thanks, that diagram was useful. I can see now that we're missing a couple of bolts and washers. I managed to reattach the hood springs (found them in the trunk also with another piece of hardware) last night and I also tightened up the hood hinges. I think it still needs to be adjusted though, as it isn't sitting quite right when I push it closed.

 

If it isn't quite sitting right when shut from the center with even weight on both sides straight down, it is also likely to pop up (at least to the safety catch if you're lucky) when you go over bumps and while making turns.

To fix either, often you need only to take a flathead screwdriver to the downhanging screw (#12180 in the diagram) on each side of the under part of the bonnet, adjusting the length so that they are:
1. close to even in length
2. long enough to clasp comfortably into the receiving holes on the sides of the engine bay (the thing indicated by #12184/85 and arrows in the diagram) without being too long as to not hold the bonnet closely and tightly.

here is a link to the diagram for the bonnet lock and safety catch:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/n88a47p175yjou7/bonnet%20lock%20and%20safety%20catch.jpg
[edited: repaired link]

If that doesn't work, you may need to remove and reseat the receiving hole plates in order to ensure they are aligning properly with the bonnet lock screws. Short of that, I suppose a broken/missing/rusted spring (12182 in the diagram | behind the downhanging screw when fully removed) might cause this bonnet sitting poorly problem.

 

I removed that monkey motion device at the lower left corner. it allows the bonnet to swing forward just a tad more for better access to the innards.

Caveat, a wind could drive it closed on one's noodle.

So, a support post would be good.

Carl