Hood reinstall- fine tuning
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
Hood reinstall- fine tuning
'79 model - I'm trying to fine tune my hood re-install. I didn't mark first unfortunately.
I've got the hood back on loosely but the 4 hinge bolts are hard to get to once the hood is down. The only possibility is getting to the 2 bolts on the hinges towards the front of the car - but it seems very difficult with various items in the way.
How to get to these 2 from under the car without removing the headlights first?
thanks
I've got the hood back on loosely but the 4 hinge bolts are hard to get to once the hood is down. The only possibility is getting to the 2 bolts on the hinges towards the front of the car - but it seems very difficult with various items in the way.
How to get to these 2 from under the car without removing the headlights first?
thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 945
Likes: 10
From: Winston Salem NC
My hood is marked, but it is not necessary the first time you do this. I have never tried to adjust them when the hood is closed.
Snug all the bolts in place and slowly lower the hood. Check for interference at the front and check the gaps on the sides. If it looks ok, close it and then check again. You can then fine tune the bolts to shift the hood forward, back or left/right. It may take a few tries.
For me, it usually takes 2-3 open/close cycles to get it perfect. When you get it, mark your hinges. A previous owner marked mine with a thin white grease pencil. Those marks are good for a starting point with a little fine tuning after that.
Snug all the bolts in place and slowly lower the hood. Check for interference at the front and check the gaps on the sides. If it looks ok, close it and then check again. You can then fine tune the bolts to shift the hood forward, back or left/right. It may take a few tries.
For me, it usually takes 2-3 open/close cycles to get it perfect. When you get it, mark your hinges. A previous owner marked mine with a thin white grease pencil. Those marks are good for a starting point with a little fine tuning after that.
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: Willoughby Hills OH
I took my hood off the other week. Even with masking it off trying to mark everything as best I could, it still took about an hour to put it back on and adjust it, tighten it, look at it, loosen it, move it, tighten it, etc.
just a lot of back and forth getting it where you would like it. Def a 2-3 person job
just a lot of back and forth getting it where you would like it. Def a 2-3 person job
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,347
Likes: 36
From: San Clemente CA
I took my hood off the other week. Even with masking it off trying to mark everything as best I could, it still took about an hour to put it back on and adjust it, tighten it, look at it, loosen it, move it, tighten it, etc.
just a lot of back and forth getting it where you would like it. Def a 2-3 person job
just a lot of back and forth getting it where you would like it. Def a 2-3 person job
with both of the above. Having 3 people is the key. One with a wrench and two to position the hood. It may take several attempts but that is the nature of the beast.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,412
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
As far as I know, no. As the above postings relate you just have to put it on with bolts a little snug, position it manually, open the hood and maybe snug the bolt little more etc.
...................
Getting the hood to fit by adjusting the bolts just gives you so much leeway to adjust the hood. The body panels and inner wheel wells are important also. An acquaintance in the early 1980's was insistent upon an absolutely perfect 67 Corvette Coupe. He said he spent $1500 in body work just to make the hood fit perfectly....this $1500 was not for paint, just bodywork. That was a lot of money in the early 1980's just to fit a hood. It was a stock SB hood.
...................
Getting the hood to fit by adjusting the bolts just gives you so much leeway to adjust the hood. The body panels and inner wheel wells are important also. An acquaintance in the early 1980's was insistent upon an absolutely perfect 67 Corvette Coupe. He said he spent $1500 in body work just to make the hood fit perfectly....this $1500 was not for paint, just bodywork. That was a lot of money in the early 1980's just to fit a hood. It was a stock SB hood.
