Bonnet Question

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John Vardanian
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Location: San Francisco Area

Bonnet Question

Post by John Vardanian »

There is a pair of spiral helper springs at the hinges. Are these supposed to hold up the bonnet? I don't think mine are working that well. Thanks.

john
PF Coupe
chris
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:52 am

Re: Bonnet Question

Post by chris »

Hi John,

that is my understanding. Mine were missing on my S3 Gte
and I bought a used pair. They are very hard to move by hand, so have a lot of spring tension. Have you tried them
of the car?

Christopher
enio45
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Location: Gilbert, AZ

Re: Bonnet Question

Post by enio45 »

john, do you have a hood prop rod for your car? If there is not one, then i believe the springs are to do the trick keeping the hood up.

which car you talking about?
Ed Montini
330 GT 2+2 Series II - 8289
58 Ellena - 0855GT - orig drivetrain
87 El Camino SS
John Vardanian
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2002 12:13 am
Location: San Francisco Area

Re: Bonnet Question

Post by John Vardanian »

Ed, Chris, yes I have these on the hinges on my PF coupe and have a hood prop too. I think all cars have both and the prop is added insurance. I am told that the springs should hold up the hood wide open.

john
PF Coupe
chris
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:52 am

Re: Bonnet Question

Post by chris »

Agree. Mine has both. 250 Gte S3.
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Terry Gardiner
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Re: Bonnet Question

Post by Terry Gardiner »

There's no prop on #4681 - series 3, just the springs. Perhaps I should research and get a prop.
Terry Gardiner
250GTE - #4681
365BB - #18131
chris
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Re: Bonnet Question

Post by chris »

Mine is 4701 and has both.
Christopher
enio45
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Re: Bonnet Question

Post by enio45 »

John Vardanian wrote: Mon Nov 11, 2019 1:31 am Ed, Chris, yes I have these on the hinges on my PF coupe and have a hood prop too. I think all cars have both and the prop is added insurance. I am told that the springs should hold up the hood wide open.

john
That does make sense to me........
Ed Montini
330 GT 2+2 Series II - 8289
58 Ellena - 0855GT - orig drivetrain
87 El Camino SS
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tyang
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Re: Bonnet Question

Post by tyang »

I've learned not to be definitive with Ferrari, but I can safely say that GTEs have two coil springs wound like a snail on both lower corners of the hood that should have enough tension to hold the hood up. The prop rod is to hold the hood up as a supplement.

SI 330s have a similar set up, but SII 330s went to a torsion type spring that are long rods that cross each other along the leading edge of the hood. These springs are similar to the ones found on GTCs, but are different in length.

Tom
'63 330 America #5053
John Vardanian
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Location: San Francisco Area

Re: Bonnet Question

Post by John Vardanian »

So, if you have both the "snail" springs and the prop, and your hood does not stay up w/o the prop... is there a fix? Thanks.

john
PF Coupe
chris
Posts: 219
Joined: Sat Mar 02, 2013 7:52 am

Re: Bonnet Question

Post by chris »

Hi John,

I would guess that either springs have lost their tension
or someone dismounted them and did not put enough preload on them when mounting them on their individual frames?! Can you put more preload on them if you remove the screw or are they already “tightly” rolled up?

Christopher
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tyang
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Re: Bonnet Question

Post by tyang »

John Vardanian wrote: Wed Nov 13, 2019 2:00 am So, if you have both the "snail" springs and the prop, and your hood does not stay up w/o the prop... is there a fix? Thanks.

john
I was just talking to Ed this weekend about questions that no one answers, and this might be one of them! I've never tried disassembling one of these. They are probably pre-tensioned and locked into place. It it was made once, then it can be made again, but it all depends on how much effort it takes.

Good luck.

Tom
'63 330 America #5053
John Vardanian
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Location: San Francisco Area

Re: Bonnet Question

Post by John Vardanian »

Thanks Tom, if I come up with a solution I'll be sure to share.

john
PF Coupe
enio45
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Re: Bonnet Question

Post by enio45 »

John, thinking about your question, is it possible that the wound springs main function is to get the hood to "pop open" when the latch is released and NOT be the sole support keeping it open?
Ed Montini
330 GT 2+2 Series II - 8289
58 Ellena - 0855GT - orig drivetrain
87 El Camino SS
John Vardanian
Posts: 1906
Joined: Wed Sep 04, 2002 12:13 am
Location: San Francisco Area

Re: Bonnet Question

Post by John Vardanian »

Ed, I've seen another car like mine where the fellow raised his hood and the hood went up with ease. Mine is like dead weight and feels like there is zero assist.
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