Cowl hinges

[Hank Jarrett]

I was looking today for trim strips for the 41 cowl and came across this site. Don't get excited, no cowl trim, but I did find a company making the hinges. Anyone know anything about these guys or the hinges?

http://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/en/list+coachfittings+and+body+parts~bonnet+hinge/

Hank

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Cowl hinges

Never heard of them, but I can imagine it is available in the US somewhere. Just have to find it. have you tried Lebarron Bonney? That have a lot of stuff like this besides interior fabric. I have not looked in a long time.

[bashibazouk]

Re: Cowl hinges

I was looking today for trim strips for the 41 cowl and came across this site. Don't get excited, no cowl trim, but I did find a company making the hinges. Anyone know anything about these guys or the hinges?

http://www.vintagecarparts.co.uk/en/list+coachfittings+and+body+parts~bonnet+hinge/

Hank

Too late. Already excited. I'll have to wait to check measurements, but this could be what I've been looking for!! Thanks, Hank!

[Mark Julicher]

Re: Cowl hinges

Holy Cow.
I have been reading Hemmings motor news trying to find this stuff. All the while not knowing I had a Bonnet Hinge instead of a Cowl Hinge or Hood Hinge.

Way cool finding these items!

[bashibazouk]

Re: Cowl hinges

It's a bummer the top part is made of brass and the sides are steel. I wonder if whoever makes it would run some aluminum through the dies? I'll inquire.

Josh

(Edit: sorry ENQUIRE!)

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Cowl hinges

I have several sets of damaged hinges that are original and they are all aluminum. That is NOT a good material for a sliding surface. Aluminum on aluminum will gall and really can't be properly lubricated, plus the shavings from wear oxidize to, surprise, aluminum oxide, which is a GREAT abrasive, that wears the hinges even faster.
I don't know if we can do it legally, but steel on brass is a great combination. I guess the biggest thing is the size. We can't really tell from photos if this hinge is the same size.
Another thing is the end pieces for the hinge are also listed in another section of the site. They are just as hard to find as the hinges!
Hank

[Laz]

Re: Cowl hinges

I know this Company. Before I became addicted to restoreing my 46 BC12-D m time was consumed restoring Austin Healey's. My Car buddies and I use to spend a few days every year in the UK at a swap meet in Beaulieu near South Hampton. This company always had a large booth. If the shipping is a big deal I am usually in the UK once a month and may be able to bring back serveral sets. Once we are sure it is the correct size let me know I will need one for my cowl.

Just for the record. The tail brace wires use a UK made Motorcycle wheel spoke nipple. How do I know that? It uses wittworth threads. They are actually listed that way on the factory drawings. Unfortunatly I have not been able to locate the same size in the UK.

Mike

[bashibazouk]

Re: Cowl hinges

I measure my ratty shards of cowl hinge to be 20.0 mm wide 7.15 mm tall, with a gap of 7.00 mm on the bottom side.



The one from Vintage Car Parts is a little bigger on all dimensions, but I guess if you were going to replace all three pieces, it'd work okay.

I agree with Hank as far as the metal-on-metal info goes. Brass and steel are happier together. No doubt the feds would be unhappy with this solution, though.

I got a quick response from Vintage Car Parts and the said they do not make the pieces in aluminum...sorry aluminium.