Bonnet locks - an alternative solution

Check this out!

And more....

Very neat, they look like an aircraft catch.
Here's another one.


And here is why he switched to external catches. He did a neat job of installing the fan.

I bet they help alleviate the issue of the valance vibrating against the bumper brackets too, or am I the only one with that issue?

Jeff, You need a louder exhaust!

Someone nervous here?

On the red car I would still like to see someway of replacing the functionality of the bar with the hood prop that went across the top. It tied the tops of the fenders together.

Wray, it looks to still be there, just run forward instead of up and across.

Yer right amigo. They ran it behind the radiator. Good catch, it must be nice to have good eyes. As nice a job as was done I should have figured they made arrangements for the cross-tie strengthening. If you take that bar out all you have is the radiator holding the fenders in place.

Here's another angle

Jeff, mine vibrates like crazy too

' Looks to me like the original bar, mounted upside-down.

FWIW,
Allen

No mine will rattle every now and then too..I just keep the idle set a bit higher than the usual 600 - 900 rpm to try and avoid this. I finally got the prop rod rattle settled, only to have this one spring up. Nuts!!!

Or is the radiator taller, or mounted higher?

Edit: Nope, it appears that you are correct on the bar being mounted reversed.
Here's a pic of my ZA in comparison.

It looks like that piece would be easily sourced from most any rubber trim vendor, like the guys who make the 1/4 light window seals. LP-23A in the Metro Moulded Parts catalog looks like the hot ticket. Although I do have foam rubber on the bumper brackets, and the panel still vibrates against them...

Looking at the photos of the above cars, in particular Rich Mckie's car, front shot of engine bay, it appears that a part is missing. Page 172 of the service parts list shows illustration # 61, part # ADH 2844 sealing plate, L/R. This particular bracket has an L shaped seal that slides on the bottom of the bracket, to shut off any water that may splash onto the valence. I used a rubber seal from MGB trunk seal that was left over from another project, slit the rubber and slid it onto the bracket. I also solved the prop rod rattle problem by removing the rear bracket that holds the rod in place and threw it away. I then drilled a hole in the center of the rear bonnet brace that runs left to right. I then used the same type clip that holds the jack and starting handle in the trunk. This was screwed into the rear brace , and now the prop rod does not rattle, and is located in the center of the bonnet.

Interesting, you're getting into real detail here!
ADH2844 isn't a part I have ever noticed so I went out and checked my car.
(Note: The red car isn't mine.....I wish!)
Sure enough my car has the seals.
Here are a couple of pics. Unfortunately they also show the shabby condition of this portion of my car
in the unforgiving glare of the camera flash!
The seal can be clearly seen in the detail shot. It is held onto the bottom of the bracket with a rivet.

Rich

Here are my replacement items made from scratch using rubber extrusion from Lou Shorten. They have been in place now for 9 years and have split again. The bending of the rubber is too acute, a moulded item would be the ideal answer.

Andy

I seem to be missing the rod that passes from the latch through the splash panel. That could be the problem...

I believe I have one if you need it Jeff.
I will check tonight.

I was thinking of trying something like this.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RPE-7401/?rtype=10

Is there a particular reason why you used one pop rivet and one small screw in mounting them to the bonnet????