Convertible hood

[michael4]

I fear the time may have come to put the roof up on our convertible. It has been down and has stayed down since the end of April (the car lives in a garage).
The operation is fairly straightforward and can be done without the loss of fingers...however, I always have a problem.
The canvas part of the hood has a channel that is supposed to go neatly over the rear window frames in between the frame and the hood irons. This needs to be fed into position while raising the hood. Problem is that the space between hood irons and window frame is very tight and pinches the canvas. Neither seem to respond to bending?!
It can be done but it takes a while. Does anyone have the same problem and have they found a solution?

By the way, noticed this on Ebay, looks like they a breaking a damaged MM.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/307147585768

[svenedin]

I have owned my Minor convertible for 37 years and it has had 3 different hoods ( but the same frame). First the original Everflex and then a double-duck followed by the most recent Mohair.

I put the hood up and down all the time, sometimes multiple times a day. It is much better done with two people but it can be done with one.

This is the way that I do it. First obviously take off the hood cover, then unfold the hood so that it is laid out hanging over the boot lid. This assumes it was properly stowed when the hood was taken down (see Driver's Handbook). Ensure the lift the dot fasteners are off the studs on either side of the rear screen on the rear quarter panel. Open both doors and leave them open. For a one person hood raise, get into the back of the car and stand in the back of the car. Never try to raise the hood from one side only as it will bend the frame. Grab the front hood rail and lift the hood almost vertically ensuring that the material goes over the hood sticks and the hood is fully extended. Whilst holding the fully extended hood up, pull the material in around the curve of the rear windows. Then fit the front rail to the studs. Rettach the hood on the outside to the studs on the rear quarter panels, fit the hood to the poppers x2 on either side, rear of rear window, top of B pillar. Done.

For an Everflex hood, leaving the hood down for a long time is a problem as it can shrink. It is best to attempt it in such circumstances if the hood has been warmed by the sun and it may be necessary to get it mostly up but let it warm before trying the last stretch to fit the front rail to the top of the windscreen.

Stephen

IMG_3718.jpeg (2.14 MiB) Viewed 545 times

[michael4]

This is the bit I find difficult single handed:

"Whilst holding the fully extended hood up, pull the material in around the curve of the rear windows."

[svenedin]

This is the bit I find difficult single handed:

"Whilst holding the fully extended hood up, pull the material in around the curve of the rear windows."

Yes. It’s not a simple process to raise or lower the hood but there is a knack to it. The hood and frame is heavy and cumbersome. Sometimes the frame is bent or the articulations worn. That doesn’t help either.

Stephen