Club126UK
Fiat 500 Chat => Fiat 500 Chat => Topic started by: michaelodonnell500 on September 08, 2017, 10:31:05 PM
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I've just finished a trial fit of reverse hinges for my bootlid. The hinges are homemade from mild steel and will eventually be painted along with the bootlid.
There's a bit more work to do as I'll need to link up an opening mechanism. I want to make something with a fully closed position and a slightly open position. Both lockable. Haven't fully worked that one out yet but I'll keep you posted!
Here are some pics
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/cac50491375e624419cbc2eaa9bf1e7b.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/49a6c42cb8478714673fd1cf37b4146b.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/1391666f8d21e80ebd29c1ed8c8f3a95.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170908/29875209029d83a018675bf9fcf0a648.jpg)
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That's super cool...loving your treasure chest of a garage as well! 8)
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Treasure chest?
Thank you for the flattering description my garage is not often described so politely!
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I like this :thumbup. Seems it's easier to work on the engine this way. Very much like the Fiat 600.
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I'm not old, but even I get a bad back leaning over the bootlid for too long.
I took a trip to the scrap yard today and found some bonnet catches and pins. Renault clio seemed had the type I was looking for.
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(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170910/1fc6f03c585408648672fb81128f7080.jpg)
4 pins and 2 catches. I'll sketch my plan so it makes a bit more sense.
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I'll attach the bonnet catch plates to the rear engine mount.
The catch plates will be cable operated from the bootlid handle.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170910/054aec15889f6ecf8d77e8f026e13043.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170910/0c6d0b719069e148eca41f4c1a849de7.jpg)
The bootlid will have 4 bonnet pins.
2 per side
The short one will close the bootlid fully.
The long one will hold the bottom of the boot open for extra cooling.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170910/5256fd7bf236b668ba2313d2d7add56c.jpg)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20170910/2e99ef79a979ea1198d43c6939cf10b6.jpg)
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Michael, neat ideas, but don't forget to have a plan B for when the cable mechanism seizes (if Bowden type) or breaks. As you say, rust does not discriminate, and generally given time EVERY cable release meachnism will seize or fail in some way - inevitably with the relevant panel in the closed position. So you'll need some access route to release the catch in this event. On my X-type it involves removing the front undertray, jacking/ramps the car, then going up from underneath, through the engine, with a very meaty rod made up from socket set extensions, about 20 inches long, and using the weight of the rods to hit the seized lever. On my Reliant it involves removing one set of headlamps. I have no idea what the baby Fiat will need - maybe removable hinge pins? - but I'm sure you will come up with something.
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Michael, neat ideas, but don't forget to have a plan B for when the cable mechanism seizes (if Bowden type) or breaks. As you say, rust does not discriminate, and generally given time EVERY cable release meachnism will seize or fail in some way - inevitably with the relevant panel in the closed position. So you'll need some access route to release the catch in this event. On my X-type it involves removing the front undertray, jacking/ramps the car, then going up from underneath, through the engine, with a very meaty rod made up from socket set extensions, about 20 inches long, and using the weight of the rods to hit the seized lever. On my Reliant it involves removing one set of headlamps. I have no idea what the baby Fiat will need - maybe removable hinge pins? - but I'm sure you will come up with something.
I now have a plan in mind for an emergency entrance which by chance would have been available anyway but it's better to be aware of that now than at the side of the road in the pouring rain!
Some progress albeit small and slow!
I've made a mock up on the work bench so I can test everything before swapping over the rear panel of the car.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171012/9c9cdd5c5da4b48023ce7df3d9ba9990.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171012/4323c0808a225d2b3c0e04f0e6b1739b.jpg)
The bonnet catch and pin were taken from a Renault Clio.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171012/7a6141518b5de0beea1d2a031b0a40c2.jpg)
The Clio uses 1 set in the middle but I want to use 1 set per side =2 sets so I have worked out the spring rate of the supplied springs and replaced it with another set with half the spring rate so these springs are much softer.
This will make the engine lis a bit easier to close.
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Some cardboard templates and a bit of trial and error.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171025/bd8d2a859a2368d7e71e66b744a78f1c.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171025/27656c1d0afbff1d588c6bc13b5a6f17.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171025/3ab04999d8391c4db1698e0bb099eb50.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171025/458e4ef2583d5801e167585af3758e9c.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171025/51d48fc5e21910b059b3d0dbd692b0b6.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171025/afa57f9d135c052d08fab699bdf295f8.jpg)
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Long delay in updating this thread!
The bottom reinforcing strip was a bit flaky so it had to go.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/f433a4a837fc43827c529b95fac2e012.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/399f5d3b628443f93c6c1d6c8aa17c15.jpg)
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Bottom strip with flared holes spot welded in place.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/f45e327f3eb7ae3710fec65b781262e5.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/35625ab908b4fe6e158ee08d09215711.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/4f2072d314de4bca1a3e74497bedf1c1.jpg)
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The top strip was ok, but it was hiding rust. There was also a hole in the front skin that would be easier to repair if it were removed.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/9f83dd06a6c641073ab302e97f69b876.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/85edc41888cdc9bec9c15caa6fb4f6f9.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/ff2d5848056004f8151513a2836f9a27.jpg)
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Rusty section removed and new piece tacked place.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/9635a28d5e13b69c6e689f4e2ee44b37.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/2777cb8739286f56d6e65c3e76500cb4.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/a9de96501c7f2b53536e1b1df4b08835.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/e69899402a1d3c365e38f4d877351a69.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/df95598dee9c3f3c3b07f805503d3219.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/715446623d380d74fd34bc70d0f0505c.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/015fbfaa7f2ef725eb4bd8cc78006a60.jpg)
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First mock up of extended hinge. The angle is not quite right. More on this later.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/f88e6a5c75ac2e0f71ac004943f96e84.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/a961ac4ec7b12fc6de70677a4ebf2df4.jpg)
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3 replacement sections to be shaped and joined.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/d3c48c7fed56d19800ab902631a77610.jpg)
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First use of the metal shrinker to curve the edges.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/6d3853b16b3a3b27d0d3cffeef5bec2a.jpg)
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Top sections curved and welded together.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/9574039ca0d732e2240292890e3db263.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/cdeeef9838a25681b10c188c5b5411db.jpg)
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Middle section spot welded to top section. Flared holes added.
That's it pretty much up to date now.
Hoping to get the top and middle section welded in place this week. Then I can continue with the hinges.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/b6cd85d4bd821464d72952ac9e53593e.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190305/96a87edcab468a8a5842d26555818958.jpg)