Marlo, you still have the center strip on? Seems like there are tabs along seam inside to turn and lock sections together. Maybe that's just for the center strip not sure. Think there is a small gap for the strip to fit in, so if it's not there, will show up. Pinching together with those wide (4") or so welders vise-grips may draw up enough for bolts or ? needed to be used. If you check your manual on hood alignment, they not that at back underside of hood is a tension device to make hood "flex" and fit cowl tighter. Maybe you need to release/remove that to get tension off the hood sides and it will draw back easier then.
