Wayne, you should get a reprint of the shop manual; all this is outlined with diagrams.
The rear edge of the hood is held in shape by a pair of lateral braces. By adding/removing shims where these braces meet in the center of the hood, you can adjust the hood to fit the shape of the cowl.
Of course, this assumes you've spent the previous day loose-fitting all the sheetmetal from the firewall forward. With all bolts finger-tight to the fenders, inner fenders, rad supports, etc; you can use the firewall-to-fender brace rods to "crank" the fenders into position (when the hood rests evenly). Lift off the hood, tighten the bolts, recheck. Repeat until you've convinced yourself it's not going to get any better, then attach the hood. Again, the shop manual explains how the hood is installed.
