Hood alignment
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,146
Likes: 936
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Hood alignment
A few years ago I replaced the hood on my 84.At the time getting the hood aligned dead on wasnt a priority,I just wanted to get it out of the garage and on the car.I noticed right away that the bottom edge of the hood where it meets the fender panel is bowed out quit a bit.I know ive got some adjustment at the leading edge of the door but im afraid if i adjust the door to meet the hood it might not be right at the rear of the door,but I dont know yet I havent really spent any time on gettin it to align correctly.Getting the hood to line up with the fender panel isnt a problem,just the front of the door.Has anyone replaced the hood on there car and ran into this and was able to get the fit right.The hood is an OEM hood from G.M.Has anybody heard of these hoods not fitting right?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,699
Likes: 2
From: The Black Hole LA
I 'think' there are alignment pins that go into that area of the hood to keep this from happenning and they can be adjusted. Never done it just seen them in the catalogs. Sure someone else can shed some light on it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
There is a procedure in my Helms as to how to adjust the hood...
However, the description is poor, and their are no pictures...
lemme see if I can dig it up...
EDIT: Sorry, I'm at school and don't have access to my service manuals...
However, the description is poor, and their are no pictures...
lemme see if I can dig it up...
EDIT: Sorry, I'm at school and don't have access to my service manuals...
Last edited by mikey whipreck; Jan 11, 2005 at 10:48 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
On the assembly line the doors are fitted to the 1/4 panels. Windows are then adjusted to the roof. Hood is installed and adjusted to the doors. Small fenders are then adjusted to the hood. Bumper is then fitted to the hood.. The best way I have found to adjust the hood is to remove the latches and headlight assemblies. You can reach in the holes and make the small adjustments nescessary When it is almost perfect you can tweak it with the alignment pins and hood bumpers. Then reinstall and tweak the latches. The reason I remove the latches for initial adjustment is I had one bind and not allow the hood to open. It took 5 hrs to get the hood open. Springs on latches can be adjusted last to get the hood to "pop" properly when hood release is pulled. Also lube and adjust the hood release cables. The hood alignment on a vette is the most time consuming alignment I have ever done. Allow time and be patient.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 14,146
Likes: 936
From: Fremont Ca
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Hey thanks Pete.I never thought about removing the headlights to get to the front hinges.Ive got the pins adjusted all the way out,anymore will be too much of a bind on the pins,receiver.If I send some pics could you tell me if the hood is within adjusting.Both bottom edges of the hood stick out pretty far.Thanks for the info.Send me a message and ill send my E-mail
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
Jeff, the hood looking wider than the doors happens quite a bit, more so with aftermarket than the gm. It happens with both though. You can center it the best you can and then tweak the doors outward a bit. Doing this will likely affect the window to w/s seal. You then have to pull the door panel to readjust glass to better fit the w/s. Sound like fun, huh? All kidding aside it is time consuming but worth the effort. Shoot those pics and I will be happy to look. When you are done you may have a panel alignment better than factory. I remember looking at new vettes on the lot in the early to mid 90's and not being real impressed with factory fit.
