I recently removed the hood from my 69 to investigate a small crack where the bolts attach the hinge to it. After I was able to get the hood out of the way, I discovered that the fender skirts have been recessed (square cut) to allow the base of the hinge to bolt directly to the reinforcing support. Has anyone ever seen this done before? It does not look professionally done...? Could it possibly be as a result of trying to fit hinges that are the incorrect size? The hood sat flush with either fender when closed - I don’t understand how it would have fit properly without cutting the skirts and lowering the hinges. From under the wheel wells, it does not apear that the skirts were ever seperated from the fenders... but its hard to tell... Comments appreciated...
C3 Hood Hinge Delema
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Re: C3 Hood Hinge Delema
Have seen this before.... Car took a major hit and front clip fiberglass components were replaced by unskilled. 'Cuts' were made through inner fender glass to 'sink' the hood hinges to force fit the hood to surrounding body panels that'd been assembled and bonded together improperly. A MAJOR mess to put right (like start from scratch....)!- Top
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Re: C3 Hood Hinge Delema
Thanks Jack - It is now apparent that's what happened. Do you know (or can you measure for me) what the demension should be from the horisontal surface on the skirt (hood hinge mount) to the bottom of the surround inner overhang lip (water channel). Chances are that it was poorly bonded and drilling out the rivits may seperate the two so I can reposition and repair the skirts. Also, do you know how many revites were use to fasten these two peices together? Seems to me that there is supose to be a rivit or two visable from the engine compartment allong the inner channel (maybe not for the earlier years). The AIM gives no information on front clip assemply...:-(- Top
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Re: C3 Hood Hinge Delema
There are no rivets, at least from the factory. Unless you are doing an extensive restoration at this time, I would suggest leaving it the way it is. There are no easy fixes here. If you push the fender up in that area, you will change the hood fit.- Top
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Re: C3 Hood Hinge Delema
Wayne - Thanks for the info... and that’s good advice about attempting the repair. I’ve not committed to anything yet... Knowing what the dimension should be would give me a better idea how far out of wack it really is. A major restoration and disassembly may be down the road, but for now, I'm just evaluating my options. I think on a bad day I could have done better than the hack who repaired this previously. Most of the front end is disambled already for other repairs, so its make an attempt now, or live with it until...??? So, do you know what the deminsion should be?- Top
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