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MG TD TF 1500 - Bonnet Prop Curtain Rod KISS

The discussion about Bonnet Props at the end of DNP David P’s thread “TD poor running under load” and the superb examples on Bud’s TTALK web page got me motivated. I’m not a good enough machinist to fabricate anything nor am I a good enough mechanic to do much in the way of installation. I do live by the KISS principle and I do have a pretty good collection of junk lying around including some old adjustable tension curtain rods and some short pieces of 1” PVC electrical conduit. I already had plagiarized the wooden tool box props and they are very good for just a quick peek at the engine compartment (first image). Jud

J K Chapin

I had used the curtain rods for better access but always feared bumping them or having them dislodged by a tiny breeze. I anchored the upper end in the spring coil for the bonnet latches but the problem was anchoring the lower end so that it would not slip away. The solution I came up with was to use the electrical conduit and the bonnet buffer plates to prevent bottom movement. I cut the conduit to 7” based on the scientifically derived fact that the scrap I had was 14.5” long. I slipped the conduit over the buffer plate and inserted the bottom of the curtain rod into it. I adjusted the length of the rod to what looked right (turned out to be right about 36”) and slipped the upper end into the latch spring coil. Image. Jud

J K Chapin

The bonnet flaps do not appear to want to, or be able to, flop over and the whole contraption appears to be fairly stable. If I need to work on the scuttle end of the engine compartment and the rod is in the way, I can move the conduit to the front buffer plate and shorten the rod. Second image. Jud

J K Chapin

Nice! I keep thinking that the leg off an old camera tripod would make for a nice adjustable and packable bonnet prop, but how to mount so it won't flop over has been the issue...
Geoffrey M Baker

Hummmm reminds me of a small sail boat I used to own,,,,,

SPW
Steve Wincze

I thought it looked a bit more like a pair of upside down Corsair wings. Jud
J K Chapin

This thread was discussed between 23/04/2015 and 25/04/2015

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