redman76

I'm always amazed at some of the minor details that I learn from the Forum; usually stuff I never thought about. Last week another CF member asked a question about hood alignment. In the thread, another member mentioned the rubber pads or bumpers that sit in the fender hood channel to adjust the hood height to match the fenders.

As SOON as I got home, I ran to my AIM and looked at a hood drawing (my wife thinks I love my car more than her, I don't know where she gets that idea from. I said "hi") and sure enough, it shows two bumpers per channel. This is great info . . . I thought my hood was just deformed. Can't wait to get the pads in to straigthen everything out.

Okay, here is my question . . . where do I get these bumpers or what could I make some from?

kayosnes

Me also.
someone have pics??

rihwoods

Dr Rebuild has them...

http://www.docrebuild.com/dr-r-web/HOOD-WS.PDF


Not a close up,but you can get the idea..the "E" "replacement" kit of four will be ok....use 3M weather strip adhesive...mine have been on for several years...



Rich

mdbelanger

I bubba'ed mine. Cut the tread out o an old truck tire and double stick tape. Shape to the size needed.

kayosnes

looks alot easier than plaing around with shims at the hinges and release mecanism. (Like i did ) I wish i had seen this post erlier.

rihwoods

Using the rubber bumpers helps compensate for any sag/mis-alignment of hood to fenders at side of hood....these hoods are long and some need support....in my case on the 78,I positioned the bumpers inway of the mis-alignment,and closed the hood repeatedly trimming bumpers with a razor blade until hood was flush....this takes some trial/error....generally speaking,you can start with one bumper about 10 inches forward of windshield and another about 9 inches in from radiator end,and adjust from there....

Interesting is my 69 coupe has no bumpers but hood is flush to fenders along both sides within 1/16"......

Thumbnail...click on pic




Rich

randommj

so basically.....the hood is slightly "bending" to match the front clip over those rubber pices?

Miles

rihwoods

In most cases,yes...my 78 hood was 1/4" low inway of the fender radius on both sides....so the rubber bumper raised it flush...the trick is adjusting/trimming both bumpers on each side to equalize hood at side inway of front clip(fender).

Bruthish

Great post. My hood is even everywhere except the drivers side fender arch. It's about a 1/4 too low.

Vette Crazzy

Okay, here is my question . . . where do I get these bumpers or what could I make some from?

any corvette dealer. ecklers corv amer etc

vc

Durango_Boy

Seems the link above is a catalog page that lists them as item 'E'.

Trae1976

I got mine from Eckler's, $14 for a set of 4:

Corvette Hood Alignment Bumpers, 1974-1979

randommj

could they fix my passenderside raise up against the windshield? and could it raise it enough to fix my hood right at both fender archs?

Miles

redman76

Thanks for all the responses. I liked the "bubba" truck tire solution, but I think I'll order a set . . . much simpler and not too $$$. Can't wait to see the difference . . . the sagging hood always bothered me.

Durango_Boy

Miles - On the top of your spring towers are grooves that look like standard screw driver slots. Use a large standard screw driver to tighten them like a screw. The spring will compress a bit as the cone is tightened down and this will lower where the corners fit with the doors and fenders.

Then, if this lowers the mid section of the hood, use the rubber bumpers to lift the center of the hood back up.

redman76

Your hood looks similar to mine. I think if we put the bumpers on, we'd get a better fit at the fenders, then we can adjust the hood latch/spring to lower the hood at the windshield. It will be trial and error, but without the bumpers it was always best compromise and not best fit..

rihwoods

Miles....

This may help with hood height adjustment at windshield end...my 78 hood has a shim under the "U" shaped striker on the hood....you may have to remove that shim where hood is high inway of latch....???



Rich

Durango_Boy

Rich - Miles' '74 is not going to have those U-bolts that mount to the hood. My '77 had those, I think starting in either '76 or '77. He should have the older style like your bumper car has.

rihwoods

Here are two pics.....just for reference...

69 hood latch/bumper...adjustable



78 hood striker with shim....for those with later hoods..



Sorry to confuse..I should had taken pics first...

79SharkMan

Ok...This is a great post! So, if the only problem I'm having with alignment is that the hood is up a bit too high on the driver's side just below the windshield, do you think doing this adjustment alone will take care of it, or is it a combo of this adjustment + new rubber bumper?