Making a slam panel removable?

Gargo

Gargo

Active Member
For those who have already gone down this road, looking at you Cobraboy. What is the considered way to re-attach the slam panel?
Just wondering what others have done. As you can see I've removed the spot welds. They are positioned so organically, in an artisan way.
I'm not going to use Rivnuts as the steel is too thin and the slam panel will not be flush. Thinking at the moment towards welded captive nuts. Maybe 4 each side with two at the end of the triangle legs.
P.s. I'm not planning on ever removing the panel again, this engine work will be the last ever. :LOL::LOL:
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That’s such a good idea! Got to make engine removal easier for 4 cups as well as V8s. Hmmm, now I’m thinking….
 
One thought, maybe work out how to have alignment dowels incorporated? That way you won’t have to fine adjust the bonnet catch each time. Especially considering how the bonnet catches can release unexpected if not properly adjusted. I’ve had one bonnet fly open before, I know I’m not the only one.
 
Now that you've drilled out all the spot welds, it is time to get all the holes welded shut. Then 'dress' the slam panel either side to get it more or less flat, and trim the edges straight(ish!). A row of Rivnuts each side, and a couple more for the diagonal braces. Garnish with some wide-dome-headed bolts and congratulate yourself. I found a couple of blurry smartphone snapshots from when I did this modification.

slam-panel.jpgrivnuts.jpg
 
That's for the ideas. Think I'll use both suggestions, combine the captive nuts with a positive location.
Either way, removing the engine is going to be a joy.
 
As you know rivnuts were my choice. IIRC M6 x 4 each side for the top, and M5 x 1 each side for the braces. Never had a latch issue.
Made throwing in an engine and LT77 combo a doddle.
 
sdibbers said:
That’s such a good idea! Got to make engine removal easier for 4 cups as well as V8s. Hmmm, now I’m thinking….
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It'd be a lot more work to make a removable section for the 4-cyl. Remember, we a full width rail running below the headlamps as well, plus cross bracing between the two. You'd have to remove everything and then reassemble as a single section. Devising the locations for the lower fixings might be a bit more involved too.
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redrover said:
It'd be a lot more work to make a removable section for the 4-cyl. Remember, we a full width rail running below the headlamps as well, plus cross bracing between the two. You'd have to remove everything and then reassemble as a single section. Devising the locations for the lower fixings might be a bit more involved too.
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On the series II cars for sure. The series I cars don’t have the cross braces I think?
 
sdibbers said:
On the series II cars for sure. The series I cars don’t have the cross braces I think?
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Oo, good point. I'm not 100% on that. But is the slam panel part of a single pressing with the front wings? The series 1 engine is bay is more "smooth and swept" than the 2, which has a bit more standardisation with some V8 pressings.
 
sdibbers said:
On the series II cars for sure. The series I cars don’t have the cross braces I think?
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On the series 1 4 cyl cars, the bonnet latch fastens to both the slam panel as well as the lower rail as per the attached photo, so a bit more creativity would be required to maake the panel removablebonnet lock.JPG.front.JPG
 
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