Bad hood lines - possible causes?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 341
Bad hood lines - possible causes?
So on my 1968 Vette the hood lines are not very good, in a VERTICAL dimension.
Meaning the lateral gap is a consistent 3/8" or so from the front to the rear, but
Vertically (up and down) the hood doesn't match the fenders for beans. Fenders higher at some points, lower at others. Up to 1/4"
Consistent side to side.
Cause? Were both fenders replaced at some point with poor quality aftermarket? Do hoods sag?
Any repairs available short of piling fiberglass & bondo deep on the hood at some points and on the fenders at others?
Continue to ignore it since it's a daily driver?
Thoughts?
Meaning the lateral gap is a consistent 3/8" or so from the front to the rear, but
Vertically (up and down) the hood doesn't match the fenders for beans. Fenders higher at some points, lower at others. Up to 1/4"
Consistent side to side.
Cause? Were both fenders replaced at some point with poor quality aftermarket? Do hoods sag?
Any repairs available short of piling fiberglass & bondo deep on the hood at some points and on the fenders at others?
Continue to ignore it since it's a daily driver?
Thoughts?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
There is a rubber alignment block available from most of the vette vendors for the purpose of aligning the hood to the fenders. You glue it to the lip of the fender to support the hood in the low spots.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,357
Likes: 1,780
From: Apple Valley, MN
Fiberglass is subject to a phenomena known as “cold flow”. Similar to glass panes - they get thicker on the bottom after a number of years.
Absent the bumpers ‘75 mentioned, the hood can sag.
Absent the bumpers ‘75 mentioned, the hood can sag.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 219
Likes: 240
From: Toledo, Ohio
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
If you purchase the hood alignment rubber cushions you can place them in the channel of the fender when the hood is open. They come in packs of four. You will likely need all four.
By using masking tape to hold them temporally you can move them forward or back for test-fit / best fit purposes, opening / closing the hood.
The bottoms of the bumpers are self-stick. Do not trust that adhesive to hold for long. Once you have tweaked the best location, use an adhesive specifically for rubber to fiberglass.
By using masking tape to hold them temporally you can move them forward or back for test-fit / best fit purposes, opening / closing the hood.
The bottoms of the bumpers are self-stick. Do not trust that adhesive to hold for long. Once you have tweaked the best location, use an adhesive specifically for rubber to fiberglass.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 805
Likes: 260
If you purchase the hood alignment rubber cushions you can place them in the channel of the fender when the hood is open. They come in packs of four. You will likely need all four.
By using masking tape to hold them temporally you can move them forward or back for test-fit / best fit purposes, opening / closing the hood.
The bottoms of the bumpers are self-stick. Do not trust that adhesive to hold for long. Once you have tweaked the best location, use an adhesive specifically for rubber to fiberglass.
By using masking tape to hold them temporally you can move them forward or back for test-fit / best fit purposes, opening / closing the hood.
The bottoms of the bumpers are self-stick. Do not trust that adhesive to hold for long. Once you have tweaked the best location, use an adhesive specifically for rubber to fiberglass.
