The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop How to fit and adjust the front fenders to the hood

Hello everyone, I'm at the point of my Re-build on my 54 Chevy 3100 truck where I need to fit the front fenders to meet the hood. Right now I have a 1/4 gap on the passengers side and about 3/8 of a inch on the drivers side. Im perplexed on how to correct this! 🇺🇸 Any suggestions are welcomed.

Thank you

Scott

Do you have an even, acceptable gap at the back of the hood and the cowl, and does the hood close and latch properly with the rear of the cab remaining tight to the rubber hood seal at the cowl? (Forget about the fenders at this point as long as the hood does not contact them.)
Do you have the grille in place?
Is EVERY SINGLE NUT AND BOLT (excluding the hood hinge bolts) LOOSE?
Once you answer these questions, I should be able to guide you through the next steps. The front clip adjustment needs to be done in steps, in proper order, without skipping any. As challenging at it is, it is euphoric when you nail it!
Carl

Carl

Yes even acceptable gap at the cowl
Yes the hood closes and latches nicely and nicely to the cowl seal
Yes the grille is installed
Yes everything is single nut and bolted but tight not LOOSE
Hood hinges are tight

Scott

Did you guys take this to a private conversation? I've been watching patiently for the next update as I could use this information also.

Me too.

*** That makes three of us watching for 52Carls instructions that would be greatly appreciated by many I'M sure. ***

Nope, for some reason Carl stop responding. I'm hopeing he'll be back soon.

Given the loads of guys going through this drill all the time, it would sure seem to be a topic worthy of a Tech Tip?

I agree. And if T F trucks are different, one for them, too.

I heard from Carl today, he's having computer trouble and as soon as he's resolved that issue he'll be back to help us!!

Scott

To clear this up: Loosen ALL nuts and bolts involved in the front clip (excluding hood hinge bolts).

First, follow closely the instructions in the Factory Shop Manual on how to install and adjust the hood-to cowl procedure. I had to read it line-by-line and write it down in my language, then have it nearby as I put the hood on.

Make sure to have a helper that you trust, as this is much easier with help. The hood is heavy and awkward, and you will need someone to retrieve thrown tools and that are willing to throw themselves in front of fragile, valuable items.

With the hood closed, pull up on rear of fender to remove the gap between fender and hood, then tighten the upper-most fender-to-cowl nut/bolt. Repeat on the other side.

Adjust the rods that go between the firewall and the fenders to factory specs for a starting point. This adjustment will move each fender fore and aft, so that the front edge of the hood is even with the front edge of the fenders. Do not be concerned if your adjustments of these rods end up being out of spec.

To adjust the gap between the side of the hood and the fender, you will need to determine the current gap with the hood closed and figure out how much you will need to move the fender either left or right once the hood is open to achieve the proper gap. Its easiest to do this with the outer-most bolt, located at the top of the radiator support very snug but not fully torqued. Make an adjustment and carefully close the hood to test for the correct gap. This took me several attempts.

Tighten up ALL nuts and bolts and brag to all of your friends as well as perfect strangers.

Warning! If you are putting together a front clip from several donor trucks or aftermarket parts, do all of this BEFORE paint, as you may need to make some of the bolt holes larger to make everything fit, and you may need to massage some of the sheet metal surrounding the grille.

Hope this helps.
Carl

*** Thanks Carl, The procedure sounds simple enough even though I've heard stories that were frightening to accomplish the above. I will soon find out.Thanks Again ***

Keep us posted on your progress.
Carl

Thanks. That's just the type instruction I was looking for. I will let you know how I make out next March when it again warms up enough and I can feel what finger tight is once more!

Wow! Did I get lucky when I put mine back together. Only thing I did no do was remove the hood. I was all by myself and figured the hood was just too big to move alone. I did about the same things, but no grill in place. Your method would have saved a lot of time, and tape, and the expenditure of forbidden words and phrases. Thanks!