69 hood alignment

[Greg L.]

I have noticed that the contour of my hood and fenders are not the same as each other about a third of the way back from the front of the hood. The fender is about a quarter inch higher than the hood on the drivers side and even more on the passenger side and this is with the front of the hood flush with the nose panel and the rear flush with the fenders. A friend of mine has a 77 with the same basic alignment so my question is...is this just the way they were made? Also if someone could e-mail me a close up of how their hood to fender alignment is it would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Harmon C.]

Re: 69 hood alignment

I was told that if the rubber tiped stops are adjusted too tight over the years the rear tips warp up. When you adjust the tips level with the fenders at the back the fenders are too high in the center. Lots of C-3's have this condition but some don't. I cut and reglassed the hood on both rear corners to make the tips go down on a shark. I think some hoods are warped and it can't be adjusted out. You may want to let the hood tips a little above the fenders at the back so the center looks better.

[Wayne P.]

Re: 69 hood alignment

Some C3's had rubber blocks placed in this area to avoid the problem you describe. Unfortunately, I have forgotten more than I ever knew, so I can't remember which years or when it started.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 69 hood alignment

The rubber blocks started to show up in about 1975 but they may not have been factory installed. This is an item that maybe Joe L. will have a date when or if it was a service part or a factoy dealer fix. I'm not sure if the hood has been low for years that the blocks would raise it up as they are not hard rubber.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 hood alignment

Lyle-----

The hood bumper blocks were first installed in PRODUCTION for the 1974 model year. I don't know if all 74s got them, but, at least, some did. For 1974, the bumper blocks were GM #347995. For 1975 PRODUCTION, this part changed to GM #458306 and soon thereafter the 458306 became the SERVICE part for 1974 models. The 458306 block remained in use through the 1979 model year. For 1980-82 PRODUCTION, the bumper block changed to GM #14011831.

76+ models also used a single, cone-shaped bumper on the center of the upper hood which fit into a hole in the hood for attachment. This bumper was originally GM #3900684.

The GM #458306 bumper is still available from GM. The 80-82 GM #14011831 was later discontinued and superceded, for SERVICE, by GM #14045938. That part is also now discontinued.

The GM #3900684 bumper is now replaced by and available under GM #15029828.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 69 hood alignment

Joe Were the bumpers used as needed or did they all get them? I know the position on the ledge is not the same but is not uncommon for an assembly line part like this. Lyle

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 hood alignment

Lyle-----

With the possible exception of 74, I think the later years all originally got them. How many are still in place is another matter.

[Greg L.]

Re: 69 hood alignment

Thanks for the help guys in clueing me in on my hood issues. Do you guys have any suggestions as to weather or not I should try and fix the alignment at this time or not. Also do you know if this is something that is judged or just overlooked because it is typical of many cars out there?

[Harmon C.]

Re: 69 hood alignment

The only fix that could be made is with body work on the hood. I would take the hit on judging and see what points are taken.