The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk hood alignment problem

Hi

I'm busy with putting my 55 1st serie chevy Pick up togther after 9 Years in the garage!!

Well, I have two problems with the hood.

When I have the hood springs mounted there is stil a big gap between the hood and the cab with the hood closed. I can push it down with my hand but it will not stay there because of the hood springs. If I leave out the springs it will close normal. What can I do??

The second thing is when I have the hood closed and I look at the fenders, the hood needed to be adjusted to the right, but it will make the gap differnce worst between hood and cab. Do I have the cab fenders not sit strait on the frame???

I tryed messuring the cab and fenders from the frame and it seems to be all right. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Sorry my spelling might not always be right, I'm german

Guten tag,
das Willkommen das Forum. (something like that, right?)

I know others will join in soon. But aligning the body panels can be a challenge. Just take your time and be patient. You'll get it.

Jim

Some other ideas??

Here a picture from my first ride after 9 years...

http://img266.imageshack.us/my.php?image=dsc04389ib8.jpg

http://ares.cs.siena.edu/~lederman/truck/Documents/HoodAlignment/AD_hood_alignment.htm

look at this site it may help you.

the main problem with the back of the hood not laying down on the cowl when the springs are in is worn hinges - replace them with new or very good used and most of your problem will be solved

Bill

I had basically the same problem with the hood on my 54. Couldn't get the back to fit tight on the cowl strips which threw everything else off. I was ready to spring for new hinges but I gave it one last shot. This is what I found out to completely solve the problem:

1. Get 2 friends to help. One on each side of the hood up close to the windshield.

2. loosen the 1 bolt on each of the hinges that you can see with the hood raised.

3. Close the hood and put a 4" block between the hood latch and the hood striker plate.

4. Loosen the 2 bolts on each hinge from under the dash. You won't have to take out the glove box on the passengers side.

5. Have your "assistants" push down and towards the windshield on the top curve of the hood at the same time.

6. Tighten your inside bolts while they apply equal pressure to both sides. That's why you need two!

7. Remove the block, tighten the one bolt on each side and carefully lower the hood so you don't scratch up the paint. Check your fit. Mine started out with a 1" gap which completely disappeared....it lays tight against the rubber strips.

8. I made a couple adjustments in the rods that tie into the firewall and the fenders. You may have to loosen some of the upper core support bolts if you have to make more aggressive adjustments.

Give it a shot...doesn't cost anything to give it a try!!!

Dave

Back in the dark ages when I was a bodyman the primary causes of the symptom you describe were two: One is as Bill noted, the hinges are worn and need to be replaced. Two, and by far the most common, oil. Lubricate the hinges and often magic happens. I can't tell you how many times "sprung" or "worn out" hinges were "fixed" by a few drops of oil. Don't even try to align your body panels until the hinge problem is fixed.

Thanks for the Help,

I will try to work on it on Thursday, hope I get it to work.

I have the same problem so keep me (and all of us) in the loop! I'm trying to get it right!

What worked for me was I loosened the hinges where they bolt to the cab. Then I had somebody push the front of the hood up as far as they could, and while they held it I tightened the bolts. The hood laid down real nice then.

i little work, and a lot of patients got mine fitting finally.

"a lot of patients"? how many? were they mental?

Bill