Morris Minor Owners Club

I had the bonnet, grille, radiator, etc off my car while removing / installing the engine. Car is mostly back together now. I reinstalled the bonnet but it apparently will need some fettling to get it to close properly. The pin on the bonnet doesn't seem to quite line up with the hole on the catch mechanism. I had a quick look at it this evening and it seems like the smart thing to do would be to take the radiator and front grille back out, leaving the cross bar with the bonnet catch in place. That, I think, would allow me to see what's going on alignment-wise from below the catch. It seems like a lot of work though. Is there a better / easier way?

As long as the bonnet is aligned equally between the two wings, then yes that could be a plan. The catch can be moved side to side if that's what's needed.

Left-right alignment with the wings seems okay. The pin just seems to be off a bit from the hole, possibly forward/aft alignment? Can't really tell though as there's no good vantage point. Last thing I want to do is slam it down and have it get stuck. I guess it'll be back out for the radiator and grille. At least that way if it does get stuck, I'll be able to get at things to unstick it.

You should be able to judge it as you lower the bonnet to the catch - but if in doubt - you plan is certainly safer.

All good now.. Had to pull the bonnet forward just a smidge. It took an extra hour or two, but I think it was worth the effort as I wasn't worried about pushing the bonnet down and not being able to release it again. Now, on to the next battle...

Great success!