I feel your pain - was almost impossible to get the last couple of front end fittings connected when the hood was cold. With my new pivots it's a doddle.

Didn't use plungers as they stuck out too far and as they were metal was worried that they'd rub through the hood.. Used some bolts with plastic thumb screw style ends so I can tighten/loosen by hand and they won't damage the hood. Example in pictures:

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"Y mae dafad ddu ym mhob praidd"
1972 4/4, 1981 MGBGT, 1984 FLHT1340, 1980 XLH1000, 1990 ZX10