Scuttle help...anyone fitted them?

[luke7neon]

I needed a whole new scuttle panel for my neon, and having tried one it doesn't fit the bonnet, there doesn't seem to be a sufficient curve in the middle of the panel where its meant to follow the curve of the bonnet.

I've swapped the panel for another one which fits a bit better, but if welded would still leave me with a half-inch gap between the scuttle and the bonnet...this would look horrible with my bonnet being higher than the scuttle!

My dad's panel-beating friend is going to try and shape it, but has anyone else fitted scuttles or have any tips?

The bonnet is fine, compared it to a recent cooper bonnet and it's the right shape and everything.
I could pay £50 extra for a heritage panel but i don't really want to, if I can make this one fit!

Any suggestions, let me know

[irishstick]

mate go with the heritage panels, no offense but i would not go to the cheep suppliers, it takes SO much work to replace panels, and paint of course,,

then 2 years down the road, its all got to be done again, Coz of the crappy thin as hell metal they use, and there only a couple of quid more,

think of it as an investment in your mini, rather than a cost i suppose,, thats my philosophy,, ;D ;D ;D

[jc1380s]

Got to agree with Irish on this one Luke.

Unless you have a flat easy bit of fabricating to do, or happen to be a panel beater, the extra dosh for the Heritage panels is worth every penny in the long run as the fit is so much better.

jc

[dai9fxey]

I've never changed a complete scuttle panel, as yet.
I try and repair the original one which usually means only repairing the ends.
Sadly the quality of steel used in the late 80s / 90s Minis is very poor and have seen so many of those Minis with totally rotten Scuttle panels which are beyond repair.
With regards the bonnet, have you taken it off and then refitted it.?? IE, Does the bonnet line up correctly with the wings and front panel??.
It is possible to tweak the shape of the scuttle panel to raise it higher to meet the line of the bonnet.
Let me know what you come up with.

[danni432]

the original one had gone on both ends and had rotted right through the center and where the screen seal went around so it wasnt repairable

[dai9fxey]

Not worth the hassle in repairing what's left danni.
How are they getting on with the job.

[danni432]

theyve got it in place at the moment , not wleded , but theyve put a wedge of wood underneath to just hold it up level to the bonnet... i said maybe its worth making a metal thing in the centre to hold it up? weld it and hopefully it can do the same job as the wood holding it in place at the moment ? if that makes any sense

[dai9fxey]

Yep. I can see what You're trying to do.
If the panel beater was to adjust the angle of the lip (on the new panel) which sits against the main windscreen surround, it is possible to make it fit a bit better.
And if you moved the repair panel a little bit further down that would also help make it line up better. A couple of mm will make a big difference.

[danni432]

yeh tis what ive said they should do. hopefully they can have ago at it this weekend...now lukes has no excuses