C1 Fitting Hood
I am in the process of fitting the hood to my 58, which also requires mounting the female hood latches. All hood surfaces are generally flush with the body with the exception of the back of the hood (facing the windshield). The back corners of the hood fit flush with the body, but the middle two thirds of the hood protrudes above the body about 1" (by the fresh air vent). It cannot be forced down. If I were to raise the front of the hood 1" with my hand, the back end slips in nicely, flush with the body, but that leaves a problem gap in the front. The hood fitted with and without the hinges produces the same result. Any comments, or remedies, about this situation from those of you who have gone through the process of fitting a hood to the body.
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Re: C1 Fitting Hood
Richard,
Did you remove the radiator support or body from the chassie? Did it line up before? Or is this the first you have been fitting the hood?. Are there any shims under the support? I'd check to see if the nose is sagging or had repairs and they were done improperly (fixed to look good but the snout was not properly aligned) Those are just the starters.
Rich -
Re: C1 Fitting Hood
This is the first time I am fitting the hood. This is a project car and yes there was work done to the front end; I did some repair work on the seems on the back left and top fenders (diagonal from the corner of the hood area to the windshield corner area). Also noticed some other indicators of work that had been done to the front. So I know it it not a pristine, "straight" body. This is also evidenced by a greater than average gap between door and windshield posts on the right side. Any suggestions at this point?Comment
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Re: C1 Fitting Hood
Richard,
Some more questions to start with. Is the body on the chassie, is the suspension in the car or is the frame supported at the suspension points, are there tires on it? I ask all these to try and figure out the best way for you to make sure the car is sitting square as well as to determine if the frame is straight. Once you let me know I can help guide you the best way to start to see if the body is sitting correctly on the chassie.
I have been down this road with either basket cases/improperly repaired cars/or previously dissasembled projects from customers too many times to count. So you have to remember you are in the dark and need to check the body/frame and suspension as your starting point. But with all that said it could be someting as simple as shimming the body and radiator support properly.
Rich
I wanted to add that if the gap on the door to windshield post is wider at the top and narrower at the bottom this will also be an indicator that the nose is hanging.Comment
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Re: C1 Fitting Hood
Rich,
The body is on the chassis with all suspension parts installed and tires mounted. I have been working on this car for seven years now and I seem to recall that at one time when I had the hood on the car in the past and was working to close gaps, it fitted well. Now that I have put in a new/used core support with new hinges, I have encountered this problem. I certainly hope it can be resolved by shimming the body and radiator support. The gap on the right door to windshield is at the lower part. The upper part fits nicely and then it opens considerably as one moves toward the bottom/base. Truly appreciate your response and help. Working on these project cars is certainly a challenge. Nothing has been easy.
RichardComment
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