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1965 Bonnet repair

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1965 Bonnet repair
#1
Bruce L. Wiley Avatar
Bruce L. Wiley Bruce Wiley
Vidalia, LA, USA   USA
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1965 MG MGB "Daisy"
Now that I have the ole gal in a semi-mobile status, the bonnet needs attention. At some time before current ownership, the hood appears to have been hyperextended. The brace that attaches to the hinges is bent and there is about a 1 inch tear beside each hinge.
It's having a tough time staying latched when closed. Please tell me this can be repaired, I want to keep the original bonnet if at all possible.


"It's not ownership, it's a relationship."



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2016-04-29 11:08 PM by Bruce L. Wiley.

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#2
ErnieY Avatar
ErnieY Ernie Y
Albatera, Alicante, Spain   ESP
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1976 MG MGB GT
Very typical damage and very difficult to repair, the panel needs removing, reforming, then welding back on.

You should still be able to securely latch it down though.

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#3
Bruce L. Wiley Avatar
Bruce L. Wiley Bruce Wiley
Vidalia, LA, USA   USA
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1965 MG MGB "Daisy"
Oh it latches quite well, then it'll just pop open at random. I'm going to get the latch sorted, but I wanted to get the hinges sorted first.
So I should get a quote from a metal shop with aluminium welding experience?


"It's not ownership, it's a relationship."



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2016-04-29 11:35 PM by Bruce L. Wiley.

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#4
ErnieY Avatar
ErnieY Ernie Y
Albatera, Alicante, Spain   ESP
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1976 MG MGB GT
If it latches then it shouldn't pop and adjustment/lubrication should fix that, make sure the cable is nice and free it should be no harder to pull than the choke.

A body shop quote would be good start winking smiley

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#5
Bruce L. Wiley Avatar
Bruce L. Wiley Bruce Wiley
Vidalia, LA, USA   USA
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1965 MG MGB "Daisy"
So are the braces aluminum as well? I've just watched a few videos on welding aluminum with propane and something called Alumiweld. Could I cut the brace out at the tears, lay it back in overlapping itself to account for the stretch and then weld it back together with this stuff? Anyone have experience using this stuff?


"It's not ownership, it's a relationship."

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#6
Perambulator David D
Phoenix, AZ, USA   USA
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Drill out the spotwelds. Get a matching part from a donor steel bonnet. Install the steel piece using panel adhesive.

Probably only last 25-40 years before galvanic reaction rots it out.

Trying to weld the old alloy is a pain.

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#7
chris Avatar
chris Chris Roop (RIP)
Pendleton, OR, USA   USA
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I have found that by shutting the hood on chunks of wood placed under the bracing or hinges themselves depending on where the damage is, can fairly well repair over extension damage. Basically, you are working to bend it back slightly past where you want it so that when the block is removed, it is where you want it.

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#8
mowog1 Avatar
mowog1 Gold Member Rick Ingram
Saint Joseph, IL, USA   USA
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1952 MG TD "Nigel"
1969 MG MGC "Vicky"
1972 MG MGB "Mallard"
1974 MG MGB GT V8 Conversion "The V8"    & more
In reply to # 3253300 by chris I have found that by shutting the hood on chunks of wood placed under the bracing or hinges themselves depending on where the damage is, can fairly well repair over extension damage. Basically, you are working to bend it back slightly past where you want it so that when the block is removed, it is where you want it.

That is exactly how my bodyman "repaired" my MGC bonnet after it was warped in an engine fire.


1952 MGTD - 1969 MGC - 1972 MGB - 1974&1/2 MGB/GT V8 conversion - 1978 MGB

mowog1@aol.com


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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#9
RAY 67 TOURER Avatar
RAY 67 TOURER Ray Marloff
Fort Bragg, CA, USA   USA
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1967 MG MGB "My Girl"
The problem with aluminum, unlike steel, is that it stretches and doesn't like to return to its original shape. Your hood probably popped open on the previous owner, at speed, causing the hood to fly up and hit the windshield. The release mechanism was most likely not adjusted correctly and allowed this to occur. I've seen this on quite a few Bs. Someone who knows how to work with aluminum can return it to its original shape with some heat and pressure. RAY

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#10
chris Avatar
chris Chris Roop (RIP)
Pendleton, OR, USA   USA
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You learn a few things sitting around the campfire with beer cans to play with. smoking smiley

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#11
RAY 67 TOURER Avatar
RAY 67 TOURER Ray Marloff
Fort Bragg, CA, USA   USA
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1967 MG MGB "My Girl"
It depends on just how much beer, as well as other things, that you've consumed. RAY

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#12
Perambulator David D
Phoenix, AZ, USA   USA
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In reply to # 3253412 by RAY 67 TOURER The problem with aluminum, unlike steel, is that it stretches and doesn't like to return to its original shape. Your hood probably popped open on the previous owner, at speed, causing the hood to fly up and hit the windshield. The release mechanism was most likely not adjusted correctly and allowed this to occur. I've seen this on quite a few Bs. Someone who knows how to work with aluminum can return it to its original shape with some heat and pressure. RAY

Trust me...ALL metal shrinks and stretches. It is the basis of all metal-shaping. Heat and pressure would actually stretch the metal further if you think about it.

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#13
chris Avatar
chris Chris Roop (RIP)
Pendleton, OR, USA   USA
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In reply to # 3253571 by Perambulator
In reply to # 3253412 by RAY 67 TOURER The problem with aluminum, unlike steel, is that it stretches and doesn't like to return to its original shape. Your hood probably popped open on the previous owner, at speed, causing the hood to fly up and hit the windshield. The release mechanism was most likely not adjusted correctly and allowed this to occur. I've seen this on quite a few Bs. Someone who knows how to work with aluminum can return it to its original shape with some heat and pressure. RAY

Trust me...ALL metal shrinks and stretches. It is the basis of all metal-shaping. Heat and pressure would actually stretch the metal further if you think about it.

Heat does for sure so along with the heat, you use ice or a can of CO2 sprayed upside down on the heated area to shrink it back. I have a special plate to put onto a buffer for running on high spots to heat them up prior to cooling with the can of spray for computer cleaning.

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Re: 1965 Bonnet repair
#14
Tee Tony W
Norman, OK, USA   USA
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1970 MG MGB
1972 MG MGB
In reply to # 3253057 by Bruce L. Wiley Oh it latches quite well, then it'll just pop open at random. I'm going to get the latch sorted, but I wanted to get the hinges sorted first.
So I should get a quote from a metal shop with aluminium welding experience?

Bruce, being in Louisiana, your best bet might be to find a boat builder or boat repair shop. I remember from the show "Swamp People" that several of them had aluminum boats custom built by individuals, not a boat manufacturing company, so I'm guessing that boat building is a fairly common tradecraft there. I need a new bonnet for my '70. it is dented by hail, and the rear frame is pushed down, but it is still usable.

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