68 Hood Surround Problem
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
68 Hood Surround Problem
Started inspecting my 68 today to see about getting some of the body prepped for primer. The hood has been off the car since I bought it as a project. I noticed that when you fit the hood in place the front corners of the surround drop below the hood. Its like little valley's in that area with some cracking in the fiberglass. Looking underneath there is a stiffner or support bar that is riveted to the surround near the edge. As you get out to the ends of this bar the rivets are loose and the bar is bent downward a touch. The ends of the bar are rusted back a little. What is supposed to be going on at the end of this bar? Is there supposed to be a bracket that maybe missing? Looks like this could be a pretty major repair which is okay, I just want to know how to proceed. Anyone ever run into this?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
The more I look at this it looks like I need to replace that reinforcement bar that is riveted to the front of the surround and goes between the head lights. looks like the head lights attach to it but i am looking thru from the backside, hard to see. Is there a standard repair where you drill out the riviets and put a new bar in there?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Started inspecting my 68 today to see about getting some of the body prepped for primer. The hood has been off the car since I bought it as a project. I noticed that when you fit the hood in place the front corners of the surround drop below the hood. Its like little valley's in that area with some cracking in the fiberglass. Looking underneath there is a stiffner or support bar that is riveted to the surround near the edge. As you get out to the ends of this bar the rivets are loose and the bar is bent downward a touch. The ends of the bar are rusted back a little. What is supposed to be going on at the end of this bar? Is there supposed to be a bracket that maybe missing? Looks like this could be a pretty major repair which is okay, I just want to know how to proceed. Anyone ever run into this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
The more I look at this it looks like I need to replace that reinforcement bar that is riveted to the front of the surround and goes between the head lights. looks like the head lights attach to it but i am looking thru from the backside, hard to see. Is there a standard repair where you drill out the riviets and put a new bar in there?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
I think the header bar is what you are describing. 68 did not have the support brackets at the end of the header bar like the 69s. That is the underlying problem with sag at the hood corners on 68s. You should at least jack the header bar up and brace at the corners and near the center too. Then do your repairs. That will help insure no future cracking in that area.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Thanks for all the replies by the way. You folks have been very helpful.
Last edited by 68/BB; Jan 19, 2010 at 03:21 PM.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 769
Likes: 36
From: Goose Creek SC
Thanks again for everyone's help. This is a super place.
