× 1-800-946-2642 Home My Account Social / Forum Articles Contact My Cart
Shop Now
Select Your Car Type Sale Items Clearance Items New Items
 

 Hood fit, quick release vs. stock hinge?

 Created by: tvander
   Forum Width:     Forum Type: 

 Posted: Aug 2, 2020 01:42PM
Total posts: 1944
Last post: Jan 21, 2021
Member since:Jan 1, 2005
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
US
First, the term quick-release is misleading. Yes, quick release, but when refitting, you're trying to balance the bonnet over your head while you try to line up the pivot points in the dark under the cowl, while then trying to fit the stainless keepers. I always put short strips of duct tape on both sides in a V where the wing joins the cowl to prevent scrapes. 

Having said that, it's the handiest thing in the world if you are fitting manifolds, or if you are adjusting, repairing, or removing carbs. It's just so much easier working conditions, and I wouldn't go back to OE hinges, ever. You've got more light in addition to more space.

There are four bolts on the OE hinges for a reason: adjustment between the wings. That's sixteen possible adjustments to get it right. Get it right once with the removable bonnet, and you'll never have to do it again.

And you won't scrape your head on the safety catch!

Since you say you've already got them, I'd install them.

 Posted: Aug 2, 2020 10:06AM
Total posts: 664
Last post: Dec 31, 2021
Member since:Nov 1, 2012
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
I went 40 years without the quick release hood. You don’t need them to line up the actual hood you just bend it. But having a quick release is so nice when you need to get into the engine look for wiring do anything like that. You don’t need to take it off. But you can if that’s your wish. After 40 years I remove the hood three times to get in not just a check the oil Or check the coolant but to get in under the hood to check the wiring or just to get under the hood.  I had the hinges for years but never put them on till this summer. Good move for me, real happy.

 Posted: Aug 2, 2020 07:19AM
Total posts: 146
Last post: Dec 16, 2023
Member since:Feb 18, 2013
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Thanks guys! That's pretty much what I'm thinking, they are overkill. I bought them when I first got my mini and had to buy every shiny bit I could get my hands on. They've really just been a pain.

 Posted: Aug 2, 2020 02:38AM
Total posts: 9528
Last post: Mar 27, 2024
Member since:Aug 14, 2002
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
CA
+1 to what Kermy wrote.

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

 Posted: Aug 1, 2020 08:36PM
Total posts: 332
Last post: Mar 25, 2024
Member since:Jan 22, 2018
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
The only reason to lift the hood should be to check the oil level and change the oil and maybe coolant level and the fan belt, so quick release hinges are a waste of money. If you need better access for major work just remove the the hood by undoing 4 nuts of the stock hinges. Easy peasy.

 Posted: Aug 1, 2020 03:29PM
Total posts: 146
Last post: Dec 16, 2023
Member since:Feb 18, 2013
Cars in Garage: 0
Photos: 0
WorkBench Posts: 0
Getting my Rover mini spi ready for paint and wondering if I need to put the stock hinges back on. The hood doesn't line up well with quick release that I put on several years ago. I can't remember if the hood fit with better with the stock hinges or not.

Just thinking I might be better off to put the stock hinges back on for a better hood fit. Any experiences or opinions on these hinges? Thanks.