Another one for Roy

[Joe R.]

Roy, I've had numerous problems with the alignment of my 54 hood since restoration. Now, the right rear is too close, trying to rub on the paint. The hood height at the front is good.

I've tried shimming the hinge in different places, but nothing seems to change the alignment much. What's the trick?

Thanks in advance for your help, Roy.

Joe

[Edward S.]

Re: Another one for Roy

This is a test.

[Roy B.]

Re: Another one for Roy

OK guys asking to set your gap all around the hood body line is your problem !
Some times when the FRONT line gap is good the side gap may be off a little or rear gap . You just have to kiddy ass the hood a little to get the best gap all around and take what you got.
I talk about the front hinges, pop-ups and rear latches
Pop-ups and rear male latche problems are usually using repro's having to thick (hard) springs, so people shim the female's to better hold the male pin in .

If people would pre-fit the body parts and bumper parts before paint or chrome things would be easy when putting them all back on.
How many see the bumpers fit with gaps or shimmed out so as to not cut into the body?? Did I pass the test??

[Joe R.]

Re: Another one for Roy

Roy, I "Kiddy ass'ed the hinges and got it closer. Now as you said the repro males are too stiff and I took out a turn of the spring like you suggested in an earlier post and that helped. I still have a problem with the hood pull that's too hard to pull. I took out the whole pull assy and it works free on the bench. When I reinstall it I'm back to armstrong pulling! Is it my female latches?

Oh, and yea you passed the test, at least the first round!

[Roy B.]

Re: Another one for Roy

Are you sure the cables are not in a bind or again are the female latches repro even there spring is to thick and hard . Try to un-hook the spring (not take them out) and un-bend them to relieve "some" tension. If they are super hard to push open with your finger !!!
The male latch spring should JUST push on the cup to keep it from rattling .

[Joe R.]

Re: Another one for Roy

Thanks Roy. I'll try tomorrow.

[Brett H.]

Re: Another one for Roy

One thing to look at is the geometry of the radiator support. You can shim one side or the other where it bolts to the radiator fiberglass sides and top. This will make your hood go left or right at the rear.

This will help if nothing else does.

Brett