1980 - 81 hood question
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Columbiana Ohio
1980 - 81 hood question
Are the hoods identical from 80 through 81 not only in appearance but fitment as well? My reason is that my paint and body guy said that the hood lines up in the front but has a 2-3 inch rise near the windshield. He had multiple people look it over and cant seem to figure out why it has the rise. So a new hood is in order I believe. I found a GM original hood for an 81 and was wondering if it was a simple fit for my 80. Thanks!
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 43
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From: Columbiana Ohio
It might be hard to see but the hood is latched in this picture. You can see where the hood meets the front quarter panel it does not come close to lining up. He thinks at some point something heavy was set on the hood to bend it upwards like that, but I find it hard to believe that this fiberglass would do that. Side-note, this car was involved in a fire in the rear but the flame did not spread to the hood but it is possible that a good amount of heat got to the hood.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
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From: WI
I have a hood off an 80 available, click the link to my ad and if your interested send a PM.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tte-stuff.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tte-stuff.html
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
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From: Charlotte NC
I will write this....if you are doing panel fitting...it is in your BEST interests to have the car with the wheels and tires installed an aired up and ON THE GROUND and NOT on jack stands.
DUB
DUB
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 43
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From: Columbiana Ohio
Mike, my body guy said the shims are in place not sure if we need more shimming or not. And DUB this was the only picture I had with the hood very visual. Since this picture it has been on all fours and aired up, still looks the same.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
Be aware that there are rubber blocks that GM used inside the hood gutter areas on each side so that these rubber block would apply pressure to the hood in certain areas to create a fulcrum and cause the rear of the hood to actually go down. Often times if the hood is down below the surface at the hood surround right above your front wheels housings...picking up on the hood in that area can cause the rear of the hood to go down.DUB
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 43
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From: Columbiana Ohio
So if I added the correct amount of rubber in the gutter area it could drop the height of my hood down in the rear? The front of my hood has perfect fitment in front of the wheel housings though. So would adding this rubber drop the back but raise the front?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,453
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From: Midland Ontario
NCM Sinkhole Donor
The latches on the front corners may have shims under them. Check to see if any are there. If so, try removing some or all to bring your front corners down flush. this worked for me. The rubber in the trough had no effect on my front end corners.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
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From: Charlotte NC
IF your hood is FLUSH at the hood hinges.....and if the hood is FLUSH right beside where it latches to the cowl....AND....the hood is LOW BETWEEN THESE TWO POINTS.....THEN...putting a block BETWEEN these two points can raise up the side of the hood...thus causing the rear to drop..AND getting the hood flush along the side...BUT...this depends on the hood itself. IT IS NO GUARANTEE.
DUB
DUB