Removing slam panel?

Is it possible to remove the slam panel on my 244? (The bit what the bonnet 'slams' onto what the radiator brackets are attatched to and the grille catches are fastened in) Its just im wanting to repaint it because theres a few bits that I have touched up with a brush around holes etc and I want to re-do it by spraying it. It would also mean that I can clean any areas underneath/check for rust/waxoyl before fitting again. Here is a pic of what I mean: There looks to be some bolts (3?) either end which look like when I undo them it will come loose. Am I right in thinking this i.e its not welded on anywhere? Obviously I will have to remove the grille, headlight surrounds, and the bonnet catch, and take the radiator brackets off (the rad will be OK loose, right?). Anything else? Where will the bonnet rest when I put it back down after I have removed the slam panel? Can I obtain the 'Fan rotating sticker' and the information plate that is riveted onto the front (I want one of these anyway as mine has peeled)? Any other things I need to consider? Thanks in advance, Steve

Maaaan - yours is not rusty?! How'd you do that?!?! Sorry, don't know about removing it :)

My Grandad tended to keep the engine bay clean aswell as the car - result: amazing engine bay! I just want to repaint it because there has been some chips on the edges of things like holes for fastenings what I have touched up with a brush. I want to sand it down and spray it because the brush marks are awful! Steve

You don't need to take it off to rust-treat it. By removing the grille and headlights you'll be able to get to pretty well all of it from underneath. "Reduce your work, Get more done" !!

Yeh but I want to spray it to get rid of the marks where I have touched it in with a brush. I have already waxoyled what you can get to by taking the grille off. I just mentioned doing cleaning and waxoyling because I might aswell while its off! Remember: I want to do this because its something to do in my spare time for fun - not because it needs doing! Steve

On early cars it wass bolted on - on yours it will be spot welded in a few places - I know I removed mine by drilling out the spot welds and fitted a new one which I bolted one as was done on the early cars. This has the advantage that it can be removed wshen remo ving the engine which makes the job a lot easier. Mike

Just reread your original post and looked at picture. It does look like yours is the bolt on. There are two onto the headlamp panel each side and one onto the angle panel by the rad. These are all 10mm headed self tapper bolts. You will also need to remove the wing bolt either side to enable the panel to lift upwards. It is also held by the three bolts holding the catch in position and there is another one on the centre vertical bar if I remember correctly. The bonnot cable is also attached to it. It should all be fairly obvious. Mike

Righto! Thanks very much Mike! BTW this is a project for next summer but I will be able to remember what is said on here about the matter. If its just a case of unbolting then its a go-er but I didnt want to go ahead until asking the experts lol. Thanks, Steve

just unclip the bonnet relese cable from one clip (small screw) in the left center and off the bonnet lock and its free completely. its also a great time to remove the lock its self but before doing so mark clearly where the bolts are to keep the alignment. the lock itself can be boiled in a large pot with soap powder in water to remove the crusty bits then cleaned up with a wire brush and hammerited before regreasing . after reasembling its far easier to open. when your bolting everything back on dont bolt everything down tight until all the bolts are in as the one at each end of the grill need to have an upright panel positioned to line then up.theres two types of thread as well on the bolts! the 2 fine threaded ones go at each end into the wing the coarse ones go into the rest having spung threaded clips they go into ,the middle (upper) bolt of the lock is different to the other two as well. while your there push the radiator forward a tad (you have to remove the upper bolts on it and the airbox to remove the panel anyway) lifting it up out of its rubber holding doodas and check for rust down there too ,mine had a lot of pickled paint no doupt from heat and leaks over the years ,you can waxoyl it from there or underneath .the seam towards the engine on that cross panel maybe rusty you can see it from the top but need to remove the engine undertray to see it from underneath.