Hood Fit Tricks?

[BigBlockBandit]

I'm working on my mk3 again and I am really not liking how the hood fits, low on both outer edges and high in the middles. I was about to make some drastic steps to correct it then I thought, I'm not the only one to have to fix this... is there a simpler way that to fill it with filler until it fits to cut it apart and reshape it? maybe shim up the center of the body a little until the shape is right? I have not quite figured out how to tackle that yet. The new hood scoop is here so its time to figure out how to make the hood look right.

Suggestions? point me to the here's how thread that I'm not finding?

Thanks

[bil1024]

With my MK 3 I have the FFR hood hinge, I placed it in the opening and got a rough fit with the bumpers FFR provides. Trimmed it a little, fit it, trimmed a little, etc.. When I had it close, I hooked it up to the hinges and started the process again. You'll get there, be patient, I had to walk away a few times, believe me!

[FFinisher]

With my MK 3 I have the FFR hood hinge, I placed it in the opening and got a rough fit with the bumpers FFR provides. Trimmed it a little, fit it, trimmed a little, etc.. When I had it close, I hooked it up to the hinges and started the process again. You'll get there, be patient, I had to walk away a few times, believe me!

Good advice, Don't be afraid to raise the body in the middle to meet the curvature of the hood.

Also, Put the hinges on the chassis, put all adjustments roughly in the middle. Then set the hood on the car after it has been fit pretty close. From underneath mark the locations on the backside of the hood where the hinges are to be mounted. Then attach the brackets that attach to the hood in the spots marked . Then install the hood back on the car. Adjust as necessary.


I strongly suggest not using the holes provided. They won't likely be close to where it needs to be.

[CraigS]

I have read of people fudging the body upward in the center either at the hoop under the dash or at the firewall. I have also seen a lot of FFRs w/ the hood latches mounted more toward the outer corners. They put the rubber bumper(s) near the center to raise the hood and then the latches pull the outer corners down.

[BigBlockBandit]

all for corners of the hood sit low so I think I'm seeing the path here, I have washers stacked in the corners to get the height right currently so yes jacking up the body a little in the center and stops in the corners with a little down tension on it may work. Sounds a lot better than cutting the hood and reshaping it.

[Jeff Kleiner]

As mentioned you have to bring the hood to the body in some places and the body to the hood in others---both will flex. The rubber bumpers and latches are your friends :)

Jeff

[j.miller]

all for corners of the hood sit low so I think I'm seeing the path here, I have washers stacked in the corners to get the height right currently so yes jacking up the body a little in the center and stops in the corners with a little down tension on it may work. Sounds a lot better than cutting the hood and reshaping it.



Most of the time we are trying to pull the corners down...yours is reverse.... I have seen this 5-6 times. I used rubber blocks on top of the tubing running down the sides of the hood. Needs to be in 3 places on each side so you don't end up with a big hump after a few days (the fiberglass will relax over a few days)....if you are not in a hurry....you could set the hood flat on the floor for a few days and see if it comes into shape. Put it on the body and see if it holds shape or goes back to overcurved.