Measuring bonnet clearances

[slide]

So I've been thinking, and haven't come up with an easy answer
Say I was to install something extra in my engine bay, say an intercooler or supercharger or anything, without lots of complex measuring is there any way to make sure said item would not foul on bonnet when its closed ?
I was thinking maybe some sort of non-memory foam, putty or similar? So you could sit it eg on tappet cover, close bonnet, reopen and have the putty/foam sitting at the exact height that bonnet confines would allow.
Must be some bright-spark ideas out there

[Dirtydog]

you could do it with various blocks of wood, start of small and keep increasing in size till you cant shut bonnet.

that would give you a pretty definite answer.

[tintin]

you can get that foam stuff that florists use?

[bob_or_jim]

Put a straight edge across your guards and measure down to your highest point. Then put your straight edge on the under side of your bonnet (if you can) and measure up? May be a little hard to get around the support frame on your bonnet.

Ive done the block of wood thing before, just be careful not to shut it hard or you may dint it outwards

If you wanna go hard out, get a rubbish bag and fill it with expanding foam and quickly shut the bonnet. When it goes hard you will end up with a mould of your engine bay. The single seater and gokart boys do this to make seat inserts.

Cheers

[Dirtydog]

Put a straight edge across your guards and measure down to your highest point. Then put your straight edge on the under side of your bonnet (if you can) and measure up? May be a little hard to get around the support frame on your bonnet.

Ive done the block of wood thing before, just be careful not to shut it hard or you may dint it outwards

If you wanna go hard out, get a rubbish bag and fill it with expanding foam and quickly shut the bonnet. When it goes hard you will end up with a mould of your engine bay. The single seater and gokart boys do this to make seat inserts.

Cheers

that is a bloody brilliant idea. might have to use that when it comes to fiberglassing....

[Dumbass]

[/quote]that is a bloody brilliant idea. might have to use that when it comes to fiberglassing....[/quote]

Yeah works mint, but be aware single pak expanding foam (the stuff in a can) melts with polyester resin (just like polystyrene). It is ok with epoxy resin but i hate paying for and using epoxy.

Because i'm cheap, I do use polyester and expanding foam, I just coat in in a couple of layers of pva glue to stop the foam melting

[Dirtydog]

sweet as, i have tried several layers of tinfoil over it which worked allright, but pva will probably be easier.

i do use a bit of epoxy, but i find polyester easier to use anyway.

[1hamish1]

I place a tape measure on its head so the tape is facing up to the bonnet. Sit that on the rocker cover or something flat. Pull about the right amount of tape out and semi lock the button so it doesnt retract but will when the bonnet pushes on it. Stand it up and close the bonnet slowly, add the thickness of the tape measure body to the measurement which will be written on the tape measure and theres your clearance.

[Dumbass]

tinfoil is a pain because it is so fragile, we use 3m aluminium foil tape (it is thicker and has a sticky side, awesome stuff) but pva is cheaper.

most of my plugs are built with polystyrene foam covered with pva, bogged (which is polyester) flat and painted for molding.

Safari Wing mirror

the molds for these were pulled off a foam plug

[slide]

I place a tape measure on its head so the tape is facing up to the bonnet. Sit that on the rocker cover or something flat. Pull about the right amount of tape out and semi lock the button so it doesnt retract but will when the bonnet pushes on it. Stand it up and close the bonnet slowly, add the thickness of the tape measure body to the measurement which will be written on the tape measure and theres your clearance.

That sounds like a good scheme right there. And allow a few mm for flex etc.
Measuring with a straight edge across is a good guide, but I figure it doesn't allow for bonnet support braces.
Interesting this talk about molding too. Carry on guys

[Dirtydog]

though i was jacking thread hence i did not reply lol,

but best tip i came accross was mixing 1 part polyester resin + hardner, with 5 parts bodyfiller.

makes a really nice filler to work with, and you dont get pinholes.

anyway,

how hard is carbon fiber? want to get into it, but looks complicated in terms of the clear coat between surface and first layer.