L88 Eckler's hood fitting?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 235
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From: NE
L88 Eckler's hood fitting?
Received the L88 hood from Eckler’s. I tried a quick trial fit and the front hinge holes that are drilled and taped in the hood aren’t lining up with the original hinges. The holes are about an 1” too far forward. Hood is going on a 69 bb. You guys that have been through this already, did you redrill the hinge holes? There is a threaded steel block riveted there for the screws. Did you grind the rivets out and move the block?
Also when I level out the rear and sides so they are flush, the front tip of the hood is about a ½” high… jeeezzzz
Before ordering the Eckler's hood I was watching the price of this hood on ebay. I was temped to bid, but not at the price it went for. Now that I see the work that this eckler’s hood might take the ebay price might not have been so bad.
Also when I level out the rear and sides so they are flush, the front tip of the hood is about a ½” high… jeeezzzz
Before ordering the Eckler's hood I was watching the price of this hood on ebay. I was temped to bid, but not at the price it went for. Now that I see the work that this eckler’s hood might take the ebay price might not have been so bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 94
From: meraux LA
Purchased mine from vanacor corvette in louisiana. It bolted right up with no problems. You may need to loosen you hinges from the body and move them around a little to get it to fit but I don't think youwill have a inch of adjustment.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 235
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From: NE
You know, I had the hinges off several months ago. Cleaned and painted them. I wonder if I have them setting on there wrong. Does the large part of the hinge/flange bolt to the hood or to the body? I'm wondering if I have them upside down or inside out... or something.
Last edited by Engraver; Mar 11, 2005 at 08:30 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
I am not in the garage, but if I remember right, the large part bolts to the body. I don't think you can put it in wrong if you tried. I do remember reading something about 70-up cars having a relocated hood hinge mount and that 68-69 hoods would NOT be compatible with later cars. I wonder if you could have a later hinge and maybe had a later hood? They would look like stock as long as they were together. I remember having to do a bit of sanding to get my Eckler's hood to fit just right, and the locking parts were a hair off. Not that big of a deal. A whole inch is a lot though, and that isn't fixable, IMO. If you can't adjust it to fit with simple bolt adjustments, I would send the hood back. You shouldn't have to redrill mounting holes in a brand new hood from a reputed top fiberglass Corvette parts supplier.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 235
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From: NE
Okay, I did have it backwords. The small part is now bolted to the body and large part to the hood and the holes are right on the button. Tip is still a little high, but it is 90% better than it was. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 6,493
Likes: 6
From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Whoops! Sorry for the bad advice!
Sometimes I read the board more than I work on my car. That's why I don't give absolute answers.
At least I got the part right about how you can't get them on backwards....oh wait...
Sometimes I read the board more than I work on my car. That's why I don't give absolute answers.
At least I got the part right about how you can't get them on backwards....oh wait...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: NE
Originally Posted by A C
Whoops! Sorry for the bad advice!
Sometimes I read the board more than I work on my car. That's why I don't give absolute answers.
At least I got the part right about how you can't get them on backwards....oh wait...
Sometimes I read the board more than I work on my car. That's why I don't give absolute answers.
At least I got the part right about how you can't get them on backwards....oh wait...
Last edited by Engraver; Mar 11, 2005 at 09:58 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
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From: Lakeland Florida
Now drilling out the holes, rivets and moving every thing back, only to find out that you had it backwards would have been even worse!
Now that you found out how it supposed to fit, how is it matching up?
kdf
Now that you found out how it supposed to fit, how is it matching up?
kdf
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 235
Likes: 0
From: NE
Well it almost fits. With it bolted to the hinge I've got everything pretty flush except for the front end tip that is up 1/4". I have 1/16" shims under each hinge and the area above the hinge is flush. If I take the shims out that area above the shims is low but it does bring the front tip down about 1/8".
Any ideas?
With the shims in and 10lbs pushing on the tip it is perfect. Maybe I can find a babe in a bikini to sit on my tip
Seriously though... any ideas?
Any ideas?
With the shims in and 10lbs pushing on the tip it is perfect. Maybe I can find a babe in a bikini to sit on my tip
Seriously though... any ideas?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 235
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From: NE
Any ideas what to do with a slighly high hood front tip? It is level from the hinges back but the tip is about 1/8" too high. I would hate to take 1/8" off with the belt sander. There would be nothing left.
Anyone?
Anyone?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
I am attempting to mount an original hood which has the same problem on my car. There are two things that can be done, the hood can be pushed down then fibergalassed in place that way to hold it or the body in the center between the headlights can be separated from the steel support underneath and a filler put in. Can Probably gain what you need in this area however somebody work is required. I think you can gain about 1/4 inch in the center without altering the front corners. This is what my buddy who owns a body shop told me anyway.
My L88 hood is so thrashed it isn't even worth the trouble of fixing given all the cracks. I need to simply try an aftermarket with an airbox. Is Ecklers the best hood you could find? Any experiences with others.
Cheers
-Andre
My L88 hood is so thrashed it isn't even worth the trouble of fixing given all the cracks. I need to simply try an aftermarket with an airbox. Is Ecklers the best hood you could find? Any experiences with others.
Cheers
-Andre
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
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From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by crf311
Purchased mine from vanacor corvette in louisiana. It bolted right up with no problems. You may need to loosen you hinges from the body and move them around a little to get it to fit but I don't think youwill have a inch of adjustment.
I went with Vanacor and bolted right up with no hassel what so ever.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Corey_68
I went with Vanacor and bolted right up with no hassel what so ever.The original BB hood I have that came on my car fits my car great but then it was built and formed with the original front clip which I understand have some variance between them.
Cheers
-Andre
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,454
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by AndreG
Did you get the airbox incluided as well?, I could take it out of the existing but hate to hack up the original as it may fit someone elses car, just not mine. Also not sure if the Vanacor is indeed identicle to the original or not for fitment purposes.
The original BB hood I have that came on my car fits my car great but then it was built and formed with the original front clip which I understand have some variance between them.
Cheers
-Andre
The original BB hood I have that came on my car fits my car great but then it was built and formed with the original front clip which I understand have some variance between them.
Cheers
-Andre
Yes I'm using their airbox as well, I just glassed everything in and smoothed it out. I'd post a pic but my digicam gave up the ghost.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 26,555
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From: Florida
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My L88 Hood from Ecklers installed with no gitches in a few minutes.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,691
Likes: 206
From: Loveland, CO
I'm surprised that no one has mentioned the support rod that goes from the bottom of the radiator support to the tip of the front nose. I adjusted it to get the best fit on my hood. The rod has a slotted tip that allows for some adjustment, and you can also put washers under where it bolts to the radiator support. With a little jacking under the front crossmember (after loosening the support bolts) you can move the nose up and down a little bit. It's worth a try. 
