d#mn aluminum hood!

[mgb4tim]

Back in the mid/late 60's, some MGBs had aluminum hoods. Sure, they were lightweight, but they didn't like to be taken out of the garage.

Good for me, since I make fiberglass reproductions, but bad for those who have to buy them.

Fast forward 40+ years... who's idea was it to put aluminum hoods on the Prius???? Did anyone do their homework?

I've found my second mini dent/chip on my hood this week. I could understand it if I heard something hit the hood, but I had no reason to suspect a dent! It would be different if it were just a chip, but a dent?!?

Looks like I might be making a carbon fiber or fiberglass hood after all. But I'll have to fill the dents with clay to make the mold.

Grrrrrrrr.

[PaulHS]

Originally Posted by mgb4tim

Back in the mid/late 60's, some MGBs had aluminum hoods. Sure, they were lightweight, but they didn't like to be taken out of the garage.

Wow! That takes me back. I owned a couple MGTD's, a 1954 and a 1955. I wish I'd had access to fiberglass hoods and fenders for them. The original fenders were made of heavy gauge steel, like tanks, but when there was a fender-bender, they were almost impossible to reshape.

Sounds like you may have a winning business idea!

[ALS]

I have an aluminum hood on my 97 Volvo 960 with 110K miles on the clock and I'm having no problems with it.

I keep hearing the Prius has an aluminum hood. It was a real surprise to me since it weighs so much.

[mgb4tim]

I think it's the angle of the hood that catches everything. I'm gonna guess that the volvo hood is a bit thicker than the Pruis.

I'm thinking some sound deadening material on the back, if it's accessible, could help.

I'm also thinking a carbon fiber hood on my silver car might look sharp.

[cossie1600]

Aluminum hood saves 15-20lbs easily, why not? It is also stronger than steel, resist rust. The hood is also higher than the engine, you want as little weight as possible up top

Originally Posted by mgb4tim

Back in the mid/late 60's, some MGBs had aluminum hoods. Sure, they were lightweight, but they didn't like to be taken out of the garage.

Good for me, since I make fiberglass reproductions, but bad for those who have to buy them.

Fast forward 40+ years... who's idea was it to put aluminum hoods on the Prius???? Did anyone do their homework?

I've found my second mini dent/chip on my hood this week. I could understand it if I heard something hit the hood, but I had no reason to suspect a dent! It would be different if it were just a chip, but a dent?!?

Looks like I might be making a carbon fiber or fiberglass hood after all. But I'll have to fill the dents with clay to make the mold.

Grrrrrrrr.

[mgb4tim]

there's no was that small hood save 15-20 pounds. A steel MGB hood weighs 27 pounds and it's a good bit bigger.

How is the aluminum hood stronger?

I would venture to say they are more costly, as well.

[qbee42]

I would take an entire aluminum body if the price was right.

Tom

[mikepaul]

Originally Posted by cossie1600

Aluminum hood saves 15-20lbs easily, why not? It is also stronger than steel, resist rust. The hood is also higher than the engine, you want as little weight as possible up top

More malleable than steel seems to be the issue here. A steel hood would probably spring back from hits that the current hood can't...

[mgb4tim]

Originally Posted by qbee42

I would take an entire aluminum body if the price was right.

Tom

try a land rover defender...LOL

[cossie1600]

Originally Posted by mgb4tim

there's no was that small hood save 15-20 pounds. A steel MGB hood weighs 27 pounds and it's a good bit bigger.

How is the aluminum hood stronger?

I would venture to say they are more costly, as well.

Your MGB also came from the 50s, where they haven't figured out how to build a safe or a reliable car. The chassis on that thing is softer than a piece of noodle, jack up one side and try to open the door if you don't believe me.

RX-7 was one of the few cars I know that came with the option of steel or aluminum hood from the factory, the difference was over 20lbs on that vehicle.

I don't know the exact grade of aluminum or steel Toyota uses, but I am pretty confident that they would pick a piece of aluminum that is strong enough to be part of the front end of a vehicle......