C3 Hood Hinge Delema

[John A.]

[Jack H.]

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....)!

[John A.]

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...:-(

[Wayne W.]

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.

[John A.]