[Healeys] Bonnet hinge on BT7

[sbyers at ec.rr.com]

The hinges are intended to be on the OUTSIDE of the bonnet flange.  During body manufacture, Jensen Motors stamped a number on the driver’s side bonnet flange (in reference to LHD cars).    If the hinge is on the outside, it will cover this  number.
My understanding of the reason for the “Jensen number” is that the bonnet/bonnet latch and boot lid were hand-adjusted for best fit , and it was intended that these parts stay with the car they were fitted to during later disassembly/reassembly operations at BMC in Abingdon.  The numbers identify these fitted parts that belong to a particular car.  Originally, the same number was stamped in three places on each car:  on the fixed part of the bonnet latch, just in front of the radiator; on the driver’s side bonnet flange where the hinge is bolted; and on the underside of the boot lid where the prop rod attaches.
The number is a letter, followed by one, two, or three numerical digits.    A letter could accommodate 999 bodies before changing to the next letter.    The first Phase 1 BJ8s had the letter E.  The last cars built had the letter V.  The very last one built had the number 2 and no letter (I don’t know why).
These numbers track the body number closer than they do the VIN (not surprising, since Jensen built the bodies and assigned the “Jensen number”).  They are a good indication of the actual sequence in which the bodies were built.
 
Anyone with a BJ8 who hasn’t already done so, please send the “Jensen number” on your to car to me.  So far, I have them for 424 cars.
Thanks!  If you really want to be helpful with this, please provide photos of your numbers.
 
Steve Byers
HBJ8L36666
Body 3223 BJ8  81544
Jensen number P429
 
From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> On Behalf Of Harold Manifold
Sent: Thursday, April 3, 2025 11:58 AM
To: Richard Jim Hockert <rjhco459 at gmail.com>
Cc: Healeys <healeys at autox.team.net>
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Bonnet hinge on BT7
 
Simon,
 
The parts book, while not definitive, suggests the arms/hinges go on the outside and the bolts face out. See attached.
 
Harold
 
On Thu, Apr 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM Richard Jim Hockert <rjhco459 at gmail.com <mailto:rjhco459 at gmail.com> > wrote:
Its an adjustment, inside or outside or different on each side.  Make the gaps even. 
 
Best regards,
Jim



On Apr 3, 2025, at 3:40 AM, Simon Lachlan via Healeys <healeys at autox.team.net <mailto:healeys at autox.team.net> > wrote:
 
Or hood!
So, I had my bonnet resprayed – don’t ask – and drove the car the 100 yds(!) to the spray shop whereupon we could not decide whether the arms/hinges go outside or inside the mating surfaces on the bonnet ie to which the hinges are bolted. Of course, I should have taken a photo but was in a last minute panic for other and better reasons! (MkII BT7).
In the end, we went with hinges outside, bolts facing inwards. Seems to work but was not easy to get a nice gap all round.
What’s the collected wisdom?
Thanks,
Simon
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