Morris Minor Owners Club

I cant get the bonnet and wings to line up evenly on either side nor can I get the bonnet to close any further.







Now Ive not quite finished fitting the wings yet so there is probably a little that I can do t o close the gap on the drivers side, though Id need to pack out the wing on the passenger side to increase that gap. I have tried loosening all the bonnet hinge screws but thats not helped. As for the gap at the front of the bonnet I have adjusted the catch as much as it will go. that did make a difference but I cant get enough adjustment to close it further.

Am I expecting too much from a 53 year old car? Should I just get the best fit I can and be content with that or can I do better?

Alignment is sometimes difficult on these areas, same as doors. There could have been damage in the past. You need to fiddle with wings and front panel along with the bonnet. You may even have to 'pack' out the wings to get the side gaps reasonable.
Can be a PTA-------see what I did there!

The bonnet may be slightly twisted - so you may need to twist it the other way! And/or adjust the front panel and the wings to fit. Does it fit well enough at the scuttle ?

Took me a moment but yes, well done

Its a little tight just in front of the drivers side windscreen and it just touches the wipers. Ive tried not to twist/force it but maybe I do need to be a little more forceful. Ive not adjusted the front panel or wings yet. I wanted to get the doors on before I started that. They will be ready to go one later this week so I may move onto something else and forget this until Im ready to fit the doors.

Oh yes - doors first - then adjust the wings to suit.

Are the hinges as far forward as they can be on the scuttle and the bonnet? You might need to slot the holes.

I Have tryed loosening them off and moving the bonnet. Got a little but not much. Im trying to avoid filing any of the holes but it may come to that.

I'll get the doors on first then see how it looks after the wings are properly set up.

have you got new replacement hinges if so make sure they are exactly the same as the old ones , we all know the fun of new parts

i see your drivers side wing to bonnet gap gets wider and then closes up again towards the door, i had this problem on my car which is all original panels.I put this down to the suspension bottoming out on the bump stop half way along the inner wing to cause this gap error, i think i remember adjusting it with a 3x 2 timber. first tho adjust the front gaps with penny washers etc

All original parts, on the doors at least, not sure there is another original part on it except for the boot lid and bonnet!

No signs of the suspension interfering with anything at the moment. Started fitting the drivers door this evening. I'll work from there, the passenger side then forward and see where it gets me.

I am in your situation from what i can see your bonnet is twisted on front outside edges before you attempt to make any
changes to panel ect do it as a whole assemble doors wings and the front cross member all the parts you have for the front
they all rely on one anther for good fit
hope this helps

Oh Im so close to going down the gallon of petrol and a match route!

I finally got the drivers door fitted as best I possibly can. There is less than a hairs width at the back edge while I managed to damage the paint at the front. I dont see me getting anything better/ I may have to resort to a hydraulic ram to push the pillar forward a little, but that said there is no more than a hair where the quarter light meets the body. So there really is no movement possible.

Wish I could remember if the door was this tight before I started! Sadly I dont remember what I had for lunch let alone what the door was like 18 years ago!

Thats why when I start the Chevy, Im not stopping until its finished.

The window frame etc can be 'adjusted' separately after the main door body is fitting nicely.

Ah, that I didn't know! In that case I may take the door off again, try and change the hinge pins (after finding the new one's I bought about 7 years ago - another Doh! moment).

The door is now fitting but if I would get it a little further forward it would be better but I would need to adjust the frame.

It can only really go forward if there are some shims there that you can remove. Or indeed - you 'move' the pillar - but that's certainly going to do the paint no good!

I was considering using a hydraulic ram and trying to edge the pillar ever so slightly forward, but Im not sure yet is I will have sufficient space to do that and move the wing so maybe as my old tech teacher used to say "line of best fit" will just do!

Been away on business for a few days this week so didn't get much done until last night. Last weekend was spent fitting doors and wings and last night I tried to adjust the bonnet as much as I could.

Its not perfect but its much better:







Still tighter to the passenger side but Im going to live with it for now.

What I cant live with is the gap at the bottom of the drivers side wing:



I think thats coming off, AGAIN, at the weekend!