Tighten hood hinges from underneath?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 180
From: Lockhart, TX
Tighten hood hinges from underneath?
So, a while back I took off the hood to get to the AC condenser up by the radiator. I wasn't smart enough to mark where the hinges were before I removed it. Me and my pastor (whose a mechanic) were able to get it back close enough to where the hood would latch, but it often pops loose on one side.
I know I could re-align the latches, but even though the hood is OK where its at, I'd really like to get it back to where it was before I removed it. Is it possible to loosen the bolts, latch the hood properly, then tighten the bolts from underneath or something?
Thanks,
Simon
I know I could re-align the latches, but even though the hood is OK where its at, I'd really like to get it back to where it was before I removed it. Is it possible to loosen the bolts, latch the hood properly, then tighten the bolts from underneath or something?
Thanks,
Simon
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
Buy this tool so your next post wont be "how do I get my hood open".
https://willcoxcorvette.com/hood-ali...tool-1968-1976
https://willcoxcorvette.com/hood-ali...tool-1968-1976
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 180
From: Lockhart, TX
Buy this tool so your next post wont be "how do I get my hood open".
https://willcoxcorvette.com/hood-ali...tool-1968-1976
https://willcoxcorvette.com/hood-ali...tool-1968-1976
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,221
Likes: 9,359
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
I would just go for the best gaps all the way around then re-adjsut the latches. IF its a 68 then the passenger side will almost always pop loose over a bumpy surface. I was able to get it to be very rare by bringing the spring up so its a tighter vertical latch. And dont drop your hood so that it slams to latch it. Lower it onto the latches and push down above the latch or let go 3 inches above the latch. it doesnt take much to latch a well aligned hood
Last edited by Rescue Rogers; Oct 16, 2021 at 08:02 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,367
Likes: 180
From: Lockhart, TX
I would just go for the best gaps all the way around then re-adjsut the latches. IF its a 68 then the passenger side will almost always pop loose over a bumpy surface. I was able to get it to be very rare by bringing the spring up so its a tighter vertical latch. And dont drop your hood so that it slams to latch it. Lower it onto the latches and push down above the latch or let go 3 inches above the latch. it doesnt take much to latch a well aligned hood
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 17
From: Macon GA
I got frustrated opening/adjusting/opening/adjusting so I put a small spot of JB weld between the hinge and the core support. Finger tightened the bolts, closed the hood, and adjusted the gaps. Then I waited for the JB Weld to harden, then tightened the bolts. Just use a small amount of JB Weld so you can break it off if needed later. Once the bolts are tight drill a 1/8" hole through the hinge and core support. In the event you have to remove the hood later you can insert a pin in the holes and the hinges are aligned.