Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Factory Easy up hood rail disassembly

Steve,
I also applied a little oil to all the swivel points on the rods where those rivets pass through. On mine one side was stiff & that distorts the header rail.

Ok, so if the rail is plastic; how come mine had developed a set of small arches that look just like wood that has expanded in high humidity. I haven't got round to stripping it yet I thought I would wait to see it the anticipated leak in heavy rain is there before doing that.

Some plastics can be quite hygroscopic. Is so it might have taken on water and expanded since it was manufactured?

This is an interesting post: you may remember me saying that in 23 years I can only remember using the hood twice. I have been thinking of removing it completely and making up a plywood, everflex covered cover that would fit neatly
over the parcel shelf area and which I think ( I have to make a template) will store in that deep slot in the back.

I should have said, above the wheel arches, flush with the rear rails, providing a cover for stuff carried. Being plywood it won't balloon up at speed.

It would be an interesting challenge to make that panel from aluminium, with a slightly curved profile along the sides and rear. It could be made to fit brackets along the rear and use the hood pivot points at the front to hold it down, but with a quick release. Covered with 4mm neoprene sheet, then mohair, and lined with neoprene inside.
I'm thinking something a bit like the old 911 Speedster rear deck but not as curved......................

Oh I'm not offering by the way!
VSM could probably knock something out quite reasonably for a DIY finish.

The neoprene content is noted!

Quick release is exactly what I have been mulling over from my sick bed Dave.
How do I do that? Further I want someone to come up with a quick release for the windscreen so that I can get back onto aero screens.

Many options for quick release.
Dzus fasteners.
Over centre catches like The MGB.
Spring tensioned panel retainers
And so on........

Watched top gear,the drive in the Mazda/Fiat. I did feel jealousy creeping over me, when he put the hood down with one movement of his arm.