73 front hood alignment.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 139
From: Vail AZ
73 front hood alignment.
Hey Folks,
After getting my 73 back in boxes a couple of months ago Ive finally got (the majority of) the drivability bugs worked out. Now its time to go back over my reassembly process and straighten a few things out. I was in a hurry to get it all put together so that I could put a classic insurance policy back on it and get it on the road. Now that that has been accomplished its time to adjust the front steel and fiberglass the right way.
Im actually sitting pretty good, but the one thing that I cant figure out is how to lower the front of the hood to properly meet the nose of the car. The front parts are all the same ones that were on the car when I sold it 9 years ago and Im certain that the front of the hood sat properly at that time.
It looks to me like the surface that the lower part of the hood hinges mount to just ahead of the radiator support and the nose of the car are all one big piece. So even if I raise the front supports to pick the nose up a bit Ill be raising the hinge mounting points along with it and accomplishing nothing. But maybe Im wrong? The hood isnt sitting horribly high at the front. Maybe. 3/32. But its enough that Id like to correct it if possible.
Thoughts from the masses?
Thank you.
After getting my 73 back in boxes a couple of months ago Ive finally got (the majority of) the drivability bugs worked out. Now its time to go back over my reassembly process and straighten a few things out. I was in a hurry to get it all put together so that I could put a classic insurance policy back on it and get it on the road. Now that that has been accomplished its time to adjust the front steel and fiberglass the right way.
Im actually sitting pretty good, but the one thing that I cant figure out is how to lower the front of the hood to properly meet the nose of the car. The front parts are all the same ones that were on the car when I sold it 9 years ago and Im certain that the front of the hood sat properly at that time.
It looks to me like the surface that the lower part of the hood hinges mount to just ahead of the radiator support and the nose of the car are all one big piece. So even if I raise the front supports to pick the nose up a bit Ill be raising the hinge mounting points along with it and accomplishing nothing. But maybe Im wrong? The hood isnt sitting horribly high at the front. Maybe. 3/32. But its enough that Id like to correct it if possible.
Thoughts from the masses?
Thank you.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 696
Likes: 193
From: USA
Hey Folks,
After getting my ‘73 back in boxes a couple of months ago I’ve finally got (the majority of) the drivability bugs worked out. Now it’s time to go back over my reassembly process and straighten a few things out. I was in a hurry to get it all put together so that I could put a classic insurance policy back on it and get it on the road. Now that that has been accomplished it’s time to adjust the front steel and fiberglass the right way.
I’m actually sitting pretty good, but the one thing that I can’t figure out is how to lower the front of the hood to properly meet the nose of the car. The front parts are all the same ones that were on the car when I sold it 9 years ago and I’m certain that the front of the hood sat properly at that time.
It looks to me like the surface that the lower part of the hood hinges mount to just ahead of the radiator support and the nose of the car are all one big piece. So even if I raise the front supports to pick the nose up a bit I’ll be raising the hinge mounting points along with it and accomplishing nothing. But maybe I’m wrong? The hood isn’t sitting horribly high at the front. Maybe. 3/32”. But it’s enough that I’d like to correct it if possible.
Thoughts from the masses?
Thank you.
After getting my ‘73 back in boxes a couple of months ago I’ve finally got (the majority of) the drivability bugs worked out. Now it’s time to go back over my reassembly process and straighten a few things out. I was in a hurry to get it all put together so that I could put a classic insurance policy back on it and get it on the road. Now that that has been accomplished it’s time to adjust the front steel and fiberglass the right way.
I’m actually sitting pretty good, but the one thing that I can’t figure out is how to lower the front of the hood to properly meet the nose of the car. The front parts are all the same ones that were on the car when I sold it 9 years ago and I’m certain that the front of the hood sat properly at that time.
It looks to me like the surface that the lower part of the hood hinges mount to just ahead of the radiator support and the nose of the car are all one big piece. So even if I raise the front supports to pick the nose up a bit I’ll be raising the hinge mounting points along with it and accomplishing nothing. But maybe I’m wrong? The hood isn’t sitting horribly high at the front. Maybe. 3/32”. But it’s enough that I’d like to correct it if possible.
Thoughts from the masses?
Thank you.
Also after re reading the front end is very very adjustable . The nose will rise in the center my adding washers to the center support rod from the base of the radiator to the top of the horseshoe under the nose. If you loosen all the adjustment bots and nuts up front youll be suprised just how much you can move the nose around.
Last edited by CAMS69; Oct 7, 2020 at 09:01 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 139
From: Vail AZ
iirc, i shaved glass off the mounting point for the hood hinge to lower the hood. as i recall there is a metal brace underneath that could be moved down a bit. This allowed me to remove some glass..
Also after re reading the front end is very very adjustable . The nose will rise in the center my adding washers to the center support rod from the base of the radiator to the top of the horseshoe under the nose. If you loosen all the adjustment bots and nuts up front youll be suprised just how much you can move the nose around.
Also after re reading the front end is very very adjustable . The nose will rise in the center my adding washers to the center support rod from the base of the radiator to the top of the horseshoe under the nose. If you loosen all the adjustment bots and nuts up front youll be suprised just how much you can move the nose around.
Thank you for responding. Ive been considering that my problem is likely just one of bending. Since my hood lined up before the guy I sold it to took it all apart it seems as if I just need to adjust things. Ive been considering the washers-above-the-center-nose-support option and am glad to see someone recommend that as a possibility. Luckily its easy to get things back apart. Thank you again.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
Gents; I have dealt with this in the past...Let us not dwell on HOW the hood hinge platforms and fenderwells and nose panel got out of whack....
1. Measure hood clearances and draw a diagram with ACCURATE dimensions.
2. Say for this instance, that the hood is above the front headlight panel plane by 1/8th inch.
3. If of course it was UNDER... then, you just shim it.
4. Remove hood after marking hood hinge alignments and bolt centers ASSIDUOUSLY!
5. Take the 'offending hood hinge', cut a 1/8th" slit out of the vertical part with a cut-off wheel.
6. Make nice-nice with the match line.
7. Weld back together in the correct, perfect orientation.
8. Grind back the welds until invisible.
9. Paint black or silver, your preference.
10. Reinstall all.
11. The hood is now perfectly matched and works perfectly.
Unkahal
1. Measure hood clearances and draw a diagram with ACCURATE dimensions.
2. Say for this instance, that the hood is above the front headlight panel plane by 1/8th inch.
3. If of course it was UNDER... then, you just shim it.
4. Remove hood after marking hood hinge alignments and bolt centers ASSIDUOUSLY!
5. Take the 'offending hood hinge', cut a 1/8th" slit out of the vertical part with a cut-off wheel.
6. Make nice-nice with the match line.
7. Weld back together in the correct, perfect orientation.
8. Grind back the welds until invisible.
9. Paint black or silver, your preference.
10. Reinstall all.
11. The hood is now perfectly matched and works perfectly.
Unkahal
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,663
Likes: 139
From: Vail AZ
Gents; I have dealt with this in the past...Let us not dwell on HOW the hood hinge platforms and fenderwells and nose panel got out of whack....
1. Measure hood clearances and draw a diagram with ACCURATE dimensions.
2. Say for this instance, that the hood is above the front headlight panel plane by 1/8th inch.
3. If of course it was UNDER... then, you just shim it.
4. Remove hood after marking hood hinge alignments and bolt centers ASSIDUOUSLY!
5. Take the 'offending hood hinge', cut a 1/8th" slit out of the vertical part with a cut-off wheel.
6. Make nice-nice with the match line.
7. Weld back together in the correct, perfect orientation.
8. Grind back the welds until invisible.
9. Paint black or silver, your preference.
10. Reinstall all.
11. The hood is now perfectly matched and works perfectly.
Unkahal
1. Measure hood clearances and draw a diagram with ACCURATE dimensions.
2. Say for this instance, that the hood is above the front headlight panel plane by 1/8th inch.
3. If of course it was UNDER... then, you just shim it.
4. Remove hood after marking hood hinge alignments and bolt centers ASSIDUOUSLY!
5. Take the 'offending hood hinge', cut a 1/8th" slit out of the vertical part with a cut-off wheel.
6. Make nice-nice with the match line.
7. Weld back together in the correct, perfect orientation.
8. Grind back the welds until invisible.
9. Paint black or silver, your preference.
10. Reinstall all.
11. The hood is now perfectly matched and works perfectly.
Unkahal
I really hate putting things together that someone else took apart.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 258
From: Dublin Ohio
I've noticed that reproduction hinges sit higher.
Agreed it's probably a matter of loosening and adjusting but when I went from repo to GM hinges it fixed a high hood on one side and required shims on the other.
Agreed it's probably a matter of loosening and adjusting but when I went from repo to GM hinges it fixed a high hood on one side and required shims on the other.
