How not to close your engine lid
 

So I found out today that you should not close the engine lid (78 911SC) by placing your hand on the middle of the lid! DAMN, the first dent in an otherwise perfect body? I plungered some of the dent out, but will have to go to pro dent sucker I think. Be warned!

As I know it, the "approved" method is to place your hand in the middle of the grill and gently push down. Don't even touch the metal.

And as for the front hood, you use the badge as a pressure point if you have to.

Damn this board is slow........

yuppers...also when you own a 914 or a 356.....put the gas cap back on BEFORE closing the hood....

No....DON't use the front badge as a pressure point...this leads to failure of the mounting pins...you press down about 4-5" on either side of the hood crest.

---Wil

What if you have a rear spoiler -- same deal, press on the grill to close it?

I have a rear spoiler and I lower the lid to about 4" off and let go. Nice positive close.

On mine, I lower it to the point it is open 3-4", let go. Gravity does the rest.

Tom

Gravity

Re: How not to close your engine lid
 

I got the same exact dent on my deck lid inflicted by me!

I'm sure there are tons of other 911's out there with the same thing.

Just imagine how I feel, the hood on my miata is Aluminum.

Imagine if you had one of those old Al 911 engine covers. You'd have to rig up a power device like you used to see on Cadillac trunks for fear of dents.

so that's what those little dents are from?! I was wondering about that. I let it drop closed and that usually works. The trunk is a different story as I have a bra on it which makes it hard to close. I did adjust the latch up a bit, but it still requires a good slam. Hmmmm-I better rethink this.

is this another flaw in the 911? if you close the lid just a little too hard, the lid dents
what's up with that? never heard of such a thing on any other car.

:)