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Replacing C4 Hood.. Tips for installing

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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 08:08 AM
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Default Replacing C4 Hood.. Tips for installing

SO I am swapping the hood on my 90.. old one had some issues when I bought the car years ago. I bought a replacement last August and I finally got it painted. The new hood is sitting on the car, hinges are snug on the hood side and frame side. I have plates blocking the latches until I am ready to latch it etc.

Any tips for alignment? especially the strikers.. I will put the inner fender wells off. I don't have the prop rod attached to the hood. should I remove the strike plates to help align the body of the hood then work on the latches?

Just looking to see what others have done.
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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 10:50 AM
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Take it slow and easy. Put emergency release cables on first. I used heavy stainless steel fishing leaders.
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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by antfarmer2
Take it slow and easy. Put emergency release cables on first. I used heavy stainless steel fishing leaders.
Yeah thought of the cables, but prior to even thinking of the latches.. how to get the hood close to where it should be?
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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by antfarmer2
Take it slow and easy. Put emergency release cables on first. I used heavy stainless steel fishing leaders.
I agree, a stuck hood is a nightmare.

I had to do a lot of modificatione to the plates on the hood (I have a Toledo Pro hood) and I was surprised how "off" it was. I ended making the bolt holes quite elongated to position them correctly! Plus I had to grind away some of the plate, as it was hitting a bend in the hood. I finally got it to work perfect, but lots of trial and error. I thought I mounted the hood wrong! Also, the pins on the sides can be aligned by loosening the rail bolts on the side untill they go in naturally. I broke the plastic guide on one side because I forgot to check that alignment. I also took a big gob of clay to lower the hood to see if the pin/plate alignment was close, and that helped a lot.

I love the hood now that it's done! I painted mine (myself) after it was installed, by the way.

As stated, patience, and emergency release cables are great insurance!

Good Luck!

Last edited by cadmaniac; Aug 9, 2016 at 11:01 AM.
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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 11:10 AM
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Leave the pins loose and line them up.
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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 11:11 AM
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YEah I will see what I can do for e-cables, I have the emergency hood tool as well

I am replacing an OEM hood with another OEM, so I am hoping to mitigate some of the fitment issues
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Old Aug 9, 2016 | 11:12 AM
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Originally Posted by antfarmer2
Leave the pins loose and line them up.
Pins on the hood?

I also plan on removing the side pins until I am closer to aligned (plastic ones)
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Old Aug 11, 2016 | 07:52 AM
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hood 90% done.. both latches are on and working fine. I might need to remove the passenger one and elongate the holes a bit. but it is popping with out issue.

I have the lower guide pins removed as i need a couple parts (then I can install them)

I have to install the headlights still and a few other little things and the car will be ready to go
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Old Aug 11, 2016 | 11:25 AM
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Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-
hood 90% done.. both latches are on and working fine. I might need to remove the passenger one and elongate the holes a bit. but it is popping with out issue.

I have the lower guide pins removed as i need a couple parts (then I can install them)

I have to install the headlights still and a few other little things and the car will be ready to go
I'd love to see some photos if you have any, something like a progression. I always wondered how much of a bear it would be trying to replace that large hood.
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Old Aug 11, 2016 | 11:56 AM
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I don't have any that show the progression. I might have a couple.

I set the hood on the car on Monday night.. held in with 4 bolts to the hood and the 4 hinge bolts

I have about 6 hours in adjusting it and the front fascia, 3 hours was 2 of us working on it. I still need to work on one striker plate and adjust it better but is does work well right now..

I still have left:
- install headlight covers and buckets to headlight assembly and then install
- Install upper inner fenders
- route hood light wiring correctly
- install license plate cover
- Install/adjust side alignment pins
- Re adjust front bumper, I needed another shim to push it out more, I made 1/4 thick ones so now I need to remove an OEM one to get the spacing I want

Last edited by -=Jeff=-; Aug 11, 2016 at 11:56 AM.
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Old Aug 11, 2016 | 12:43 PM
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Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-
I don't have any that show the progression. I might have a couple.

I set the hood on the car on Monday night.. held in with 4 bolts to the hood and the 4 hinge bolts

I have about 6 hours in adjusting it and the front fascia, 3 hours was 2 of us working on it. I still need to work on one striker plate and adjust it better but is does work well right now..

I still have left:
- install headlight covers and buckets to headlight assembly and then install
- Install upper inner fenders
- route hood light wiring correctly
- install license plate cover
- Install/adjust side alignment pins
- Re adjust front bumper, I needed another shim to push it out more, I made 1/4 thick ones so now I need to remove an OEM one to get the spacing I want
I was just curious about these pin's that break is all, was sort of wondering what they looked like so I could be mindful should I ever have to remove my hood.
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Old Aug 11, 2016 | 02:45 PM
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I can get you the pictures of the pins we are referring to, I will be working on the car tomorrow night I hope
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Old Aug 13, 2016 | 12:21 AM
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Pins.. Driver side pin and receiver




Last edited by -=Jeff=-; Aug 13, 2016 at 12:21 AM.
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Old Aug 13, 2016 | 03:57 AM
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Originally Posted by -=Jeff=-
Pins.. Driver side pin and receiver
You know, I never really noticed them on my car! Is that the way it is on the 1996's too? I'll have to look for them the next time my hood is open. Thanks for the tip!
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Old Aug 15, 2016 | 07:23 AM
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yes I believe 96 has them as well
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