Hood Pins Installed

#1

Friday, I pulled on the stock hood release and it broke off in my hand.

Great!

I then made a trip to the local race parts store and bought a set of hood pins for $11.00. We installed them tonight and it’s really nice being able to get to the entire engine bay. I like Mel’s front mounted exterior pull release idea (although I don’t think it’s entirely legal) but the hood pins are allowed per the Spec E30 Rules.

Lifting the hood off every time is a bit tough on the back but after a few tries I was able to get it off, and back on, without too much trouble. I figure I’ll lay it on the car cover to keep it from getting dinged-up too much. The paint on the leading edge is peppered anyway.

It took about 1.5 hours, start to finish, and there are two precut holes in the upper rad support that worked great.

If anyone is thinking about doing this, it’s fairly straight forward and easy.

Carter

#2

I finished installing mine over the weekend as well, but kept the factory hinge in place. I probably used the same holes in the rad support, but had to slot the hole in the hood structure to clear the pin.

I haven’t tried it myself, but I thought lifting the hood off in the down position would require two people.

-Scott

#3

Glad to hear that you got the hood pins installed ok. Sorry I couldn’t come along to help. I’ll have to check it out and see about doing the same to mine.

#4

Ken:

As I mentioned on the phone, it was an easy job. I really wanted you there to hand me a beer.

:slight_smile:

I did remove the front hinge assembly but didn’t get as much weight out of the front as I’d hoped.

Lifting the hood off isn’t easy but I got better at it after doing it a few times.

Carter

#5

Easy access to the front of the engine is a great thing.

I’ll share a little trick… to avoid having to lift the hood and finding a suitable location to put it while working on the car, I have a modified broomstick that I use as a hood prop.

#6

OK all you hoodies… I think my hood release is just before braking so it’s time for pins!

Couple of questions for you guys that have been there done it.

  1. Do you change anything at the rear where it slides on the bracket?

  2. What was the best way to properly mark/align the hole to be drilled in the hood to align with the pins?

Thanks for the info…

Keith

#7

Kieth, call me as I’ve got a great solution for pins, but i don’t type very well 800-755-1715. Robert

#8

Keith,

After Robert tells you his secret could you maybe let the rest of us know. I have called Robert enough and don’t want to be such a bother.

Michael O.

#9

I don’t want to make my hood removeable, but I would like to open to vertical like my Mercedes. Has anyone tried modifying the lift strut so that the hood opens farther. I haven’t looked in too much detail, bit I thought that the strut was the limiting device but I guess it’s more likely the hinges themselves.

#10

The hood won’t open vertically even if you remove the hood strut, but it will open somewhat more than the stut allows. I’d like to figure out a way to reverse the system and hinge the hood at the firewall. I’m sure it is just a matter of adapting some hinge system…

#11

BTW, pulling the latch, cleaning and greasing it will do wonders for it and probably help prevent a cable break.

#12

Well, maybe this a bad habit from another bimmer forum, but
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#13

If you remove the kidneys and the strut, the hood will go vertical.

JP