Hole in top of Tii front cowl, what's this for?

[bergie33]

13 minutes ago, Conserv said:

We shall heretofore refer to “tii notches” as “tii and some RHD touring and probably a few other sub-model notches because I’m certain we haven’t seen the last of them notches”. Is everyone on board with the new name?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

I second the motion!

[Lorin]

20 minutes ago, Conserv said:

We shall heretofore refer to “tii notches” as “tii and some RHD touring and probably a few other sub-model notches because I’m certain we haven’t seen the last of them notches”. Is everyone on board with the new name?

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

 

 

 

Spoken like a gentlemen. 

[beammmer]

2 hours ago, jimk said:

 

The top pic doesn't look like the hole is much over the distr.  Besides, it looks like Don created the hole with a 45 cal.

Funny Jim!!

 

The hole doesn't look aligned but it works perfect for the version points my car uses, apparently a 74 Tii .

Don

[Schon '02]

Unrestored, stock, time warp Sahara Beige, 4 Speed non-Sunroof, non-tii ‘75 just sold on BaT for $30,250… must have been the hole…

[bergie33]

Just now, Schon '02 said:

Unrestored, stock, time warp Sahara Beige, 4 Speed non-Sunroof, non-tii ‘75 just sold on BaT for $30,250… must have been the hole…

 

You mean holes (plural).  Would have been 5k less if it only had one hole. 

[Schon '02]

If the holes were drilled in the same location, then there was probably some coordinated effort to it (factory, TSB, club newsletter maybe?); if there is randomness, then it's likely a result of helpful hints and  word-of-mouth that becomes legends or myths. So mine is 3-1/4" from the edge of the center cowl reinforcement plate. 

[jgerock]

Ok folks, when did the center opening appear for the middle part of the hood latch? Early 1600 brochure here. Was this a pre-production model?  From some of my pictures of Clay’s 67 1600, his car has the opening.

[Conserv]

1 hour ago, jgerock said:

Ok folks, when did the center opening appear for the middle part of the hood latch? Early 1600 brochure here. Was this a pre-production model?  From some of my pictures of Clay’s 67 1600, his car has the opening.

Jim,

 

1966 models did not have the opening in the reinforcement panel. I don’t have a cutoff VIN or date, but by January 1967, the hole — and the extra hood hold-down — were in place.

 

Shown below, in the first photo, are the remains of VIN 1505146, a Bristol 1966 1600-2, manufactured September 12, 1966. The second photo shows the car’s VIN, but it’s been excised from the original chassis (see third photo) and inserted into a later ‘02. The fourth photo shows Anders’ former car, an amazingly-original 1966. His “1966 Bible”, on the U.K. forum, may provide a more accurate cutoff VIN or date.

 

Look here: https://02forum.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=8603

 

Best regards,

 

Steve

 

 

[jimk]

It seems like the hole allows engine bay gasses to leak into the ventilation system cowl past the hood gasket by the rub marks in the paint on pictures showing the hole.  My 71 car one owner has no hole.

I don't remember not being able to adjust the points without the hole.  Maybe all you need is The Knack.

 

 

[Mike Self]

On 7/11/2022 at 12:21 AM, Schon '02 said:

‘73 VIN 2590923, but no clue if it’s original to the car having acquired the car four years ago.

My early carbureted '73--Dec 72 production, 2587090--bought from original owner--no hole.  But I recall seeing other cars with that hole and idly wondering what it was for...

 

I think what we're searching for is the truth, the hole truth, and nothing but the truth...

 

mike

[bergie33]

3 hours ago, Schon '02 said:

If the holes were drilled in the same location, then there was probably some coordinated effort to it (factory, TSB, club newsletter maybe?); if there is randomness, then it's likely a result of helpful hints and  word-of-mouth that becomes legends or myths. So mine is 3-1/4" from the edge of the center cowl reinforcement plate. 

 

Mine is 2-3/4", so not consistent with yours. 

[Son of Marty]

Do these holes correspond to the  coming of the "reverse distributor" 

[Lorin]

It seems like a lot of these holes show noticeably more corrosion than the surrounding areas of the vehicles they are on. This leads me to believe they were drilled/punched after the manufacture of the car or at least after it was painted. 

[NYNick]

I wonder if it was some kind of spring loaded alarm switch system that triggered when the hood was raised? Might explain why some have it and some don't.

[bergie33]

2 minutes ago, NYNick said:

I wonder if it was some kind of spring loaded alarm switch system that triggered when the hood was raised? Might explain why some have it and some don't.

Maybe, but you would think there were better locations along that cowl top that wouldn't interfere with the distributor or adjustment of the points.  It would have to have wires that protruded below the cowl and would interfere with that area.