Hood installation, 71 coupe

[Rick Church]

I recently removed the hood to rebuild the cooling system and other stuff. While cleaning and repainting the hood's hinges, I noticed they were bent so I straightened them. I then realized that the scoring of the hood mount and fender mount areas won't be any good since I have changed the positioning of the hinges by straightening them. So how do I go about putting the hood back on and getting it to align right? I have removed the hood latches near the wiondshield to keep the hood from locking closed on me during the alignment process.

Did the factory ever bend the hinges to get proper alignment or is this something a "buuba" did in the past? The car has never been wrecked but the hood was previously removed for radiator work several years ago.

Thanks a million, Rick in Tennessee

[Joe L.]

Re: Hood installation, 71 coupe

Rick-----

I am not aware of the factory ever bending the hood hinges to align the hood. I strongly doubt that ever occurred. In your case, some of the scribe marks still may be useful in locating the hood. You will have to try some trial and error until you get it just right. Do it very carefully, though, so as not to damage anything. Where you're at is really no different than someone unstalling a replacement hood on their car; a replacement hood wouldn't have any reference points (like scribe marks), at all.

Quite frankly, I don't think that I'd use the straightened hinges. I'd get new ones. The hinges are still available from GM under GM #3912639, lh, and GM #3912640, rh. They GM list for $25.10/each

[Jack H.]

Re: Hood installation, 71 coupe

Over the years, some 'slop' develops in the hood hinges and that's probably why you found them 'bent'. Putting the hood back on and getting proper alignment isn't that tough, but it helps to have two people do the job to save time and prevent an 'opps' that you could wind up kicking yourself for.

First, attach the hood to the hinges and torque the bolts gingerly (just enough so it stays in place. Now, gently lay the hood down WATCHING for interference at the nose and along the sides. When she falls into the fender silhouette, walk around and eyeball the gaps for smooth consistent alignment.

Open, loosen hood-to-hinge bolts on the side that needs to adjust fore/aft or cock left/right to obtain a better alignment, move the hinge under the bolts and retighten. Lay 'er back down and see how close you are to a centered/even gap line now and iterate as needed to get 'er right.

Once she's in the final resting position, fully torque the hinge bolts and attach the hood prop. Now, move to the rear catches.

Attach them to the firewall loosely and whatever you do, do NOT let the hood latch into position!!!!!!!!! It's possible to have the catches so mis-aligned that the hood latches and all the king's horses and all the king's men won't get 'er to OPEN again!!!!!!!

With the hood up and locked by the hood prop, rip a section of aluminum foil and smooth it over the catch so you can easily see the center section of each catch. Now, slowly/carefully lower the hood until the tips of the latches dent and leave impressions in the aluminum foil.

Raise the hood and re-adjust the catches to CENTER the latch spears in the catch hole opening. Iterate with fresh foil until you've got both sitting dead nuts on-center. Apply final torque to the catch mounting fasteners and you're done!

If you 'opps' and get the hood latched before everything is centered and it won't open. There are a couple of techniques to recover that can be discussed. But, let's hope you don't need to go there...it can be a real PITA!!!

[John A.]

Re: Hood installation, 71 coupe

Rick,

Also, when I changed out my hinges, I ended up using one hinge-shim on each side to ge the hight alignment correct. They are also available from you favorite parts supplier.