1.6HF - "the leading edge of the hood sits fractionally proud"

[DavidLaver]

Catching up with emails I was scanning an article by Ed Levin on "Veloce Today" when the issue of bonnet alignment popped up.  A photo caption reads:

"The factory 1.3HF / 1.6HF brochure highlights the differences between the 1.3HF, top, and the 1.6 HF, below. The 1.6 HF has extra triangles at the lower corners of the grille, for a little bit more cooling airflow, but the earliest 1.6HF works prototype racers had solid corners. And you’ll also notice that, because of its slightly taller block and bigger carbs, the leading edge of the hood sits fractionally proud on the 1.6HF; the stainless trim is misaligned."

A new one on me.  I'll leave you all to register (free) and go and look at the photo yourselves.

http://www.velocetoday.com

So the question is - how many people have tried and failed to get the bonnet to fit "properly" not realizing the factory couldn't do it either?

David

[dhla40]

I read this with some interest as my fibreglass bonnet does not fit properly, now I can say it is a works mod

Sean

[bruciebonuz]

Glad I didnt take to mine with the heavy machinery then....couple of photos show the raised bonnet.

[lancialulu]

Thought it was to clear the big Megalux's 

Out of interest what causes the "lift"? just higher bump stops??

[peterbaker]

Certaintly my special manifold and twin forties has always meant a hump in the bonnet. also the radiator is moved slightly forwards

[B20B24]

Most interesting. This subject has been the source of much angst in our household. My son recently bought a nice original S2 1600 which had an on-the-move bonnet opening episode (user error hhmm). We bought a replacement bonnet in alloy from a broken S1 and it did not fit as it hit the chokes on the Dell'Ortos, so a couple of small dimple dents later we tried to fix this but to no avail, regardless of what was tried.

So we ended up retro fitting Solex 42s (which do clear, just), with near perfect alignment (after fixing those dents).

And they sound fantastic with the Jolly Club trumpets we found

[Chas1]

I'm interested in the Jolly Club trumpets,  what type of filter do these have and how hard are they to obtain do you have photo?  My 1600 sport has dellortos twin DHLB 38's which seem to work fine but were too high for the bonnet I had one small dimple on the bonnet and bonnet was moved forward about 10mm which did not look great.  The offending high spot is/was the fuel pipe nut on the front most carb, this has been machined down to half a nut and I'm not sure I have fully cured the problem but it has allowed me to align the bonnet as correctly as it probably ever was and it has made a real difference in the appearance (well at least to me) and only a very small dimple from the offending nut.

I would also be interested to know what support was provided underneath the dellortos (if any) as mine currently has none, I'm led to believe, reading various forum posts that it should have a support to improve the life of the rubber gasket

Chas

[B20B24]

Hello Chas

The trumpets have mesh and no filter = loud. The carbs and trumpets are from a genuine ex Jolly Club race car that has been converted to Weber 45s locally. I'll post pics tomorrow. They look/sound the business.

The Dellortos had a supporting arm underneath the air box assembly but nothing we did could get clearance for the bonnet, we even machined down the chokes but it always touched.

The Solex 42s clear (just).

Clive

[lancialulu]

A common mistake is that the engine steady bar on the carb side is sometimes done up tight onto the subframe and this has the effect of jacking up the engine on the carb side reducing any clearance..... worth checking.

BTW all carb assemblies should be supported. I have a trumpet arrangement (not Jolly) for my 42 Solexes which are part of a plate that have the ability to take the support strut. You will definately ruin the rather rare and expensive rubber mounting (if you are using such) without this.

[Sliding Pillar]

Back in the mists of time (The 1980's) when I was regularily breaking 1st series Fulvia Coupes.... you could pick them up for £100....I also had a HF Lusso (GDF 188L) that was in the process of restoration. Every alloy panel that was on a car for breaking would be tried on the HF to see if it was a better fit than the one that was already on it.  Eventually GDF ended up with a perfect set of alloy doors, boot and bonnet.  So just keep trying, you could actually end up with one that fits......... perhaps this might take rather a long time nowadays!!!

(Photo is before restoration)

[Neil]

That car is very much around, but is now red, I am sure the current owner can post some current panel fit shots.

[angelorange]

Many 1.6HFs with Weber 45s had bonnet bulge installed - not such an issue with Dellorto carbs.