How stiff should the bib hinge be?

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May 23, 2017
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Seattle, WA
Im currently working on putting my front bib back together after some restoration. I noticed that the hinge, which is not attached to anything, is very stiff. I cant pivot it at all with my hands. Im concerned if I attach it all, bib, hinge, frame, back together, it could bend the sheet metal on the bib. How stiff is it meant to be, I don't see where it comes apart. Should I spray some silicone grease in there and see if that provides some relief, or is it a lost cause, and should I seek a new one?
 
A heat gun and lubricant of your choice isn't a bad idea, but...

These things were never free like the door hinges, especially on the later models which weren't really designed to have the windshield dropped.

Pry the hinges into postion, as best you can estimate, and bolt the windshield back on.
 
A heat gun and lubricant of your choice isn't a bad idea, but...

These things were never free like the door hinges, especially on the later models which weren't really designed to have the windshield dropped.

Pry the hinges into postion, as best you can estimate, and bolt the windshield back on.
Believe he’s talking about the single hinge attaching the bib to the body to access the radiator etc…

OP, start soaking it, Kroil, corrosion x, PB Blaster… whatever, it’ll loosen up.
 
It should rotate freely and shouldn't be stiff at all.

Once you are able to rotate the bib hinge the rectangular pivot can be lined up with a slot cut through the hinge allowing you to remove the bib without removing any fasteners, this is military specification back in the day and would allow expedited engine swaps while under fire.
 
It should rotate freely and shouldn't be stiff at all. If you rotate the bib hinge the rectangular pivot will eventually line up with a slot cut through the hinge allowing you to remove the bib without removing any fasteners, this is military specification back in the day and would allow expedited engine swaps while under fire.
🤔
 
A heat gun and lubricant of your choice isn't a bad idea, but...

These things were never free like the door hinges, especially on the later models which weren't really designed to have the windshield dropped.

Pry the hinges into postion, as best you can estimate, and bolt the windshield back on.
Now im wondering if I misnamed the part. Im talking about this thing. It's not my photo, but it's descriptive.

s-l1200.jpg
 
Ah, so. Ignore the man behind the curtain.
 
The 78 hinges do not come apart like the early ones. Not sure when they changed. It should "hinge" freely tho.
 
The 78 hinges do not come apart like the early ones. Not sure when they changed. It should "hinge" freely tho.
My early 1980 one doesn’t.
Didn’t “hinge” until it drank many ounces of Corrosion X.
 
That bib hinge was the same p/n 53107-90300 on my microfiche set for the period 03/69 to 07/80. Coincidentally, those are the same years my microfiche set covers for the US and Canadian markets.
Now I want to look again…🤔
 
Ya, so I let mine sit in Evapo-Rust overnight, I thought that would do the trick but no luck. Im going to try some heat and penetrating oil see if that loosen it up
I swear by Corrosion X in the red can. It has worked miracles for me.

But a torch and PB Blaster has done the trick as well. Good luck.
 

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