The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Early 'Bolts (1916-1936 1st Half) front clip alinement

What is the proper way to align the front end sheet metal on a 1936 GMC T-14. I can't seem to get the hood gap correct.

What part of the hood fitment are you having trouble with?

Mike B

I can't seem to get the gap equal from the hinge to the bottom of hood side to be anywhere close on the cowl. The top will be 1/8" and then bottom will be 1/2". Seems like the bottom of the rad shell needs to be mover towards the cab. Dose that make sense? just the opposite in the front

Can you post a few pictures of the problem areas?

Front clip alignment involves adjusting the cab mounts and the core support mount. You might need to raise the front of the cab or remove shims from the core support to tighten the lower side panel of the hood.

Did you have any body work done on the fenders? If so they could have been stretched making the lower gaps bigger. Is the cab pushed to far back on it's mounts?

Mike B

I had the front clip on before it got painted, everything fit pretty well then. Yes the fenders had some minor repair work done as well as the running boards. I haven't moved the cab after the body work was and was painted on the chassis. I don't have the front clip on right now as I had to re-do the motor mounts, The engine needed to be moved forward a couple of inch's, It's a 4.3L V-6. Once I have that work completed I will put the front clip and fenders back on and see where I am at with the gaps. I think I have to thick of a rubber spacer under the rad support. That probably wont happen for a couple months as I have to clear the tree's and brush from around my shop and house so they don't cancel my home owners policy. We live in the foothills of northern calif and the insurance company's are being pretty harsh as to what the will accept. It is quite expensive to rent the equipment and find people willing to help. And way to pricey to have a company come in and do it, was quoted over $10,000 to do it.

You really need to put the clip on to make hood gap adjustments and lowering the core support will bring the back lower hood side corner closer to the cab.

When you get back to working on the truck, let us know how it's coming together!

Mike B

will do, just got informed by the wife, we are going on a month long trip. I hate being away from that long, to much to do to keep everything running smoothly.. Yesterday The "highway" fire started not far from us, but shouldn't come our way I hope, but never know what mother nature is going to do. We have hade a few bad fires around us the past few years.