Engine Lid: Proper Way to Close
 

I bought a 76 911S. Great car. Former owner and a mechanic said proper way to close engine lid is to hold spring on latch and gently "throw" the lid down. This method, they say, is to be preferred rather than pushing the lid from the sides or in the middle. It seems to me that a gentle push on the lid while it's about 6 inches open does the same as the gentle throw. Is there a proper way to close the lid to prevent damage? Thanks. :confused:

Peter Zimmerman suggests pushing down firmly on the grille. I do, and it closes and latches just fine.

I don't know what the proper way is, I just know mashing in middle will bend it. I can't bring myself to 'drop' it closed. I guess I'm lucky, once I let the lid gently down it only takes me a little nudge downward from the extreme rear edge. -J

"pushing down firmly on the grill"..is just as bad as closing the hood by
pushing down on the crest. :rolleyes:

Interesting. While we're at it. What, then, is the proper method to close the hood?

Used to do the hold the spring and throw down when i had the early turbo tail on but since i switched to the duck tail it's so much lighter that i have to just let it down then give a shove on top of the duck to get it to latch.

I wonder why Mr. Zimmerman recommends doing it that way, then.

I haven't had any issues doing it like this - and if you look at the bracing of the lid, it is pretty strong around the opening.

*shrug*

I adopted that practice early on in my 911 ownership and all it takes is a gentle nudge to close mine. Never damaged anything yet.

As far as closing the frunk lid goes, I place my fingertips on either side of the hood badge and just push gently. Clicks right shut.

I lower the lid it to the latch and put pressure on the lid with my two hands to the left and right of the latch. Never had any problems

Same here, did it or 40 years with no problem and no dents ever. I use the back of my lower fingers right over the curved part at the bottom of the lid.

What? Your struts actually hold up the hood? :rolleyes:

Left hand under hood at latch, right hand on plastic grill. Let go with left hand and push down with right. No muss, closes fine, no damage to metalwork (key point).

gently is the way...

If everything is adjusted properly it should close with a gentle push.

With your fingertips or knuckles on each hand (for no fingerprints), press the areas midway L/R and closest to you, near the edge where it's most rigid. Press the flatest area if you like the sound of sheet metal bending back and forth like an oil can.

Early 911 grills are simply rows of relatively soft, U-shaped aluminum channel. If you press downward on a NLA aluminum grill and bend it, you're looking at a long search on Pelican Parts and the internet for a $600-$800 replacement (used). That's after you come to after the owner has applied pressure on your carotid artery for doing something as thoughtless as that.

Your own car? Plastic grill? Okay. It's yours. BTW, would you close a door by pushing on it near the hinges?

Sherwood