Hood and Headlight not flush

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May 15, 2011 | 09:56 PM

radbme

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 18

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From: Ellsworth AFB South Dakota

Hood and Headlight not flush

I'm not linking all six photos individually so here's a link to the album: http://s1140.photobucket.com/albums/...d%20Headlight/
I'm wondering if there's anything that can be done about the hood not being flush up by the windshield on the passenger side and down by the wheel well on the driver's side. Also, the left (driver's side) headlight is practically under the lip and isn't flush to the hood either. Any ideas? Thanks.

May 15, 2011 | 11:06 PM

drwet

Melting Slicks

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 3,229

Likes: 656

From: Thunder Bay

Your hood's not bad. Mine was worse. I put on an aftermarket hood which was much better. You can adjust it by adding or removing shims at the hinges and latches, but perfect won't happen unless you're prepared to do some body work. Check to make sure you have the rubber blocks that support the edges of the hood as well. They're glued on and are often missing. You can add more as well if that will help.
As for the headlights, I think your headlight supports are rotten. They corrode and allow the headlights to sag. When I replaced mine many years ago, they were extremely rare, but I am pretty sure they are being reproduced now.

Jul 12, 2011 | 04:24 PM

radbme

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 18

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From: Ellsworth AFB South Dakota

Thanks for the reply. I bought a Hood Alignment Bumper off of Ecklers. I'm not real sure how to use it though. Any suggestions?

Jul 12, 2011 | 04:30 PM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,235

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From: Westminster Maryland

Hi r,
The headlight door looks like it has to have the 'closed' stop adjusted. This is a pretty easy fix. Do you have the AIM for your car? It will show the location of the stops for both the 'open' and 'closed' position.
It will also show the placement of the alignment bumper.
Regards,
Alan

Jul 12, 2011 | 05:12 PM

radbme

Thread Starter

Heel & Toe

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 18

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From: Ellsworth AFB South Dakota

Hrm. Is this what you're talking about? http://www.ecklerscorvette.com/corve...1956-1982.html

Jul 12, 2011 | 05:59 PM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,235

Likes: 4,326

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi r,
Yes, that's it.
Consider buying the GM Chassis Service Manual for your car too.
They're both worth far more than their cost if you spend some time working on your car.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan

Jul 13, 2011 | 01:53 PM

Moser28

Racer

Joined: Jul 2008

Posts: 250

Likes: 6

There is also an adjustment bolt on the back of the headlight assembly that will raise and lower the front of the headlight so it will be flush with the body. If you can push the headlight down (side closest to hood) then your support could be rotton. Mine was on one side and I had to replace it. Not too bad of a job if your vette is 73 or newer...those were glued in. The older ones had rivits in the fiberglass...not an easy job. I have pictures if you want to see how I did it.