It looks like there's a bit too much arch in your hood. That can be adjusted at the rear hood brace. It entails adding washers under the screws at the center piece, which draws the hood down at the center strip. The procedure is in the shop manual. Bottom of page 11-5, starting at item 10. [on edit] I see you have a repop one-piece hood. Maybe it doesn't have the adjustment capability of the OEM hood.
Strange that the fender rods distort the cowl panel. They attach pretty far down on the firewall at a pretty stiff spot. I would think that the rods would bow first.
Otherwise, it looks like you're there.
