Fitting a Hood to a TR3a

[Ian Vincent]

I am in the process of fitting the hood cover to my TR3a and have been searching the forum and reading the various tips as well as looking at the video posted on the thread that is currently running on fitting a hood.

 

The first thing I noticed is that my hood doesn't have the partial seam (tuck?) following the line of the front curved hood stick. I assumed that this wouldn't matter - it was a hood that I picked up cheap on ebay - less than £100 if I recall correctly.

 

Anyway, I have fitted the two corner tenax clips at the front and all but four (two each side) of the LTDs at the rear. The hood is as tight as a drum across the front and ditto front to back but it is clear that no matter how tight I pull the two corner LTDs on each side, I am going to be left with a sag above the middle of where the sidescreen will be, i.e. the area that would be affected by the missing partial seam.

 

So my queries are:

1. Have I just bought a defective hood or are there different types depending on sidescreen model (I notice that Rimmer's offer a whole range to suit either Dzus fittings or Wedge fittings? And moving on from this;
2. What is the general opinion of the forum on who makes the best fitting TR3a hood in vinyl that is available in the UK?

 

Any answers very much appreciated.

 

Rgds Ian

 

[Rodbr]

Hi Ian,

Not sure what you mean but much of the tension and lift is by the frame and webbing. It would help if could take pictures so advice may be given.

 

http://s223.photobucket.com/user/Rodbr/media/P9090090.jpg.html

 

http://s223.photobucket.com/user/Rodbr/media/P5300101.jpg.html

[Ian Vincent]

Hi Rod,

 

I will post a couple of pics tomorrow but the seam missing from my roof is the one shown on your second photo that follows the line of the front hoop.

 

Rgds Ian

[stuart]

The lack of that seam will give you the sag at that point, thats what its for as it takes out the excess material at that point. As to best hoods thats a very emotive subject as they tend to change every now and then even from the same suppliers. The Moss ones made by The Coventry Hood and Sidescreen Co are usually pretty good but they are still made down to a price so you still cant beat a bespoke one made specially for the car.

Stuart.

[Lebro]

I would have thought that if you shorten the webbing between the front hoop, & the middle one then the front hoop would push up, & remove the slack?

 

Bob.

[Ian Vincent]

I would have thought that if you shorten the webbing between the front hoop, & the middle one then the front hoop would push up, & remove the slack?

 

Bob.

Done that already Bob and it did help but it still sags.

 

Rgds Ian

[Rodbr]

Hi Ian,

Some checks to do,

Are the mounting plates that attach to the quarter panel the right way round?

Does the centre hoop sit at the cross seam?

Does the rear seam also sit correctly positioned?
Are the legs locked?

I found that the over centre stop on the front hoop does not bear on the stop when the webbing is under tension.

 

As I said pictures will help adise.

 

rgds

Rod