ABF Conversion - Bonnet doesn't fit.....

Had a big 'shouty' moment last night in the garage!

Final stages of ABF conversion, just about ready to tax & insure, then come to fit the bonnet and it doesn't f**king close!  It did look close, but all info I had read didn't suggest there was a problem so I didn't spend 30 mins fitting the bonnet to find out. IDIOT!

Anyway, I have the problem so I just need to find a way around it. What are my options?

If I remember correctly, the engine mount bolt hole is towards the bottom, so one option is to take off my engine mounts and rotate the mount inserts through 180deg. This will lower the engine by about 30mm and give plenty of clearance. The issie here is that the exhaust has already been fabricated to fit the current set up.

I could try and tilt the engine, but due to the amount of interference and the position of the mounts, I doubt I would get anywhere near enough movement to get sufficient clearance. My exhaust would then be miles out of position.

I could modify the bonnet support structure as this is the clash point. Would mean I don't have to remove the engine to get at the drivers mount.

Any suggestions would be great as I plan to crack on this afternoon.
Many thanks
Huw

 

what inlet manifold does it have? I think the earlier version has slightly less clearance than the later version. the way to tell is check the vacuum nipples, the late ones have one for the ecu on the back near the throttle body, early ones do not (assuming its running oem digifant management)

you could do a 'motorsport rear bonnet raise' to get you thru for now couple spacers on the rear bonnet hinge bolts to lift it up at the back

Cheers rubjonny
I have a later one. Good job it's not an early one. I'd need a scooby bonnet scoop….
Liking the lifter idea, but I think i'm going to mod my bonnet. I'll get some card board and stick it to the underside of bonnet, close it and see where the impressions are. It should just need some of the support strut chopping out.

I think I am mistaken on the orientation of the mounts anyway, so that wouldn't help me. And tilting the engine wont get me anywhere close.

Now i've done some searching, i see this happens a little more often than I was aware of.

And my wifes car is just about to cost me £500 - not a good day!! LOL
Thanks

Looked at the mounts and the through hole is towards the bottom. I'm sure they are installed correctly as the poly bushes that went into them had TOP written on them. Maybe the poly bush is stopping the engine sag the small amount needed to clear??

Anyway, I have cut my bonnet supports and it now clears. If I get problems in the future I can try rotating the engine mounts, but that may affect the exhaust fitting.

We'll see when I get it on the road.
Cheers