Nose hinge install

[bil1024]

Looks like I have the updated hinges, anyone have steps to install them.

[65 Cobra Dude]

Can you show pics of the updated hinges? I have working hinges on mine but they are a couple of years old. I can send pics if needed.

Henry

[edwardb]

Can you show pics of the updated hinges? I have working hinges on mine but they are a couple of years old. I can send pics if needed.

Henry

Same here. Curious how they've changed. These are what came with mine (probably the same as Henry's) and took some work to make fit.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=83972&d=1523468039

[Logan]

My hinges are identical to Paul’s photo above. Gen 3 Coupe-R #170.

[edwardb]

Any chance there's confusion here because of the picture in the build manual? The nose hinge picture in the manual appears to be an older Gen 1 or Gen 2 version. It's not the same as the hinges provided with my kit and pictured above. Quite a few pictures in the build manual aren't Gen 3 unfortunately, so kind of have to watch that. Several are even Roadster pictures. The words and descriptions are mostly OK though. I followed the instructions in the manual for mounting the nose hinges and it was OK. Other than the fact that the angle didn't match the nose. I added a wedge to each.

[bil1024]

Any chance there's confusion here because of the picture in the build manual? The nose hinge picture in the manual appears to be an older Gen 1 or Gen 2 version. It's not the same as the hinges provided with my kit and pictured above. Quite a few pictures in the build manual aren't Gen 3 unfortunately, so kind of have to watch that. Several are even Roadster pictures. The words and descriptions are mostly OK though. I followed the instructions in the manual for mounting the nose hinges and it was OK. Other than the fact that the angle didn't match the nose. I added a wedge to each.

Yes that's what I meant, the manuals don't match so trying to figure how this setup bolts in. Lager bolt on bottom and maybe the flat 3 holed piece for the fog light mounts ?

116028

[edwardb]

Yes that's what I meant, the manuals don't match so trying to figure how this setup bolts in. Lager bolt on bottom and maybe the flat 3 holed piece for the fog light mounts ?

116028

The hood hinge has two bolts into the fog light bucket, and one into the bottom part of the body. That three-hole piece is for the hood latches. Not the hinges. Check the manual in the "Nose Latch" section about 2/3 of the way through in the body section. Shows how they're used.

[bil1024]

The hood hinge has two bolts into the fog light bucket, and one into the bottom part of the body. That three-hole piece is for the hood latches. Not the hinges. Check the manual in the "Nose Latch" section about 2/3 of the way through in the body section. Shows how they're used.

Thanks man, I was getting confused cause those larger bolts are not with the hinge bracket. And yeah one of the hinges is not flush so I will have to make a filler block / wedge like you did

[xlr8or]

Regardless of the hinge type used this is what I did to get it lined up successfully:
1. attach hinges to frame
2. set nose on car without the radiator aluminum installed
3. use blocks to hold the front of the nose so it lines up best side to side and level to the gap with the side panels of the main body.
4. make sure it is far enough back that the gap around the windshield is correct or covers the gap
5. use tape along the edge to mark for trimming to fit the gap around the windshield
6. adjust the brackets as close as you can get to the fog light buckets and mark the holes
7. remove the hood and drill the mount holes slightly larger than you need
8. mount the brackets to the hood and reinstall on the car. (easier to line up and bolt on than the bucket side)
9. check marks from step 5 and adjust as necessary
10. trim for final fit along windshield
11. fit radiator aluminum

[bil1024]

Thanks guys, got the hinges in but the bottom of the nose hits radiator aluminum, wish I had the foresight not to install like xlr8or said, but to lat. So do I just trim the aluminum ?

[edwardb]

Thanks guys, got the hinges in but the bottom of the nose hits radiator aluminum, wish I had the foresight not to install like xlr8or said, but to lat. So do I just trim the aluminum ?

Yes. The radiator aluminum needs to be trimmed back to the 3/4-inch frame in that area. When you clear that, then you'll need to trim the body to clear the radiator in order for the nose to open all the way. Even more if you have the A/C condenser mounted. I know it's gotten really long, but have you looked at my build thread? Link in my sig line. I talk about (and show) what I found doing mine and how I resolved. Including this.

[bil1024]

Yes. The radiator aluminum needs to be trimmed back to the 3/4-inch frame in that area. When you clear that, then you'll need to trim the body to clear the radiator in order for the nose to open all the way. Even more if you have the A/C condenser mounted. I know it's gotten really long, but have you looked at my build thread? Link in my sig line. I talk about (and show) what I found doing mine and how I resolved. Including this.

Yep! Your skills blow me away!

[edwardb]

Yep! Your skills blow me away!

Not hunting for a compliment, but thanks. I was only pointing out that some of the things you're asking about are documented in other builds. Mine plus other excellent Coupe build threads. They've all been a resource that I've scoured repeatedly.

[David Williamson]

You will need to trim the lower section of the nose all the way to the back edge of the hinges. I even cut about 1/2 inch off one hinge to try to get the hood to open more, even with that the hood does not open as far as I would like. Something to work on later.
David W

[bil1024]

All great advice, thanks fellas, appreciate it

[xlr8or]

Once it's all sorted split a piece of 3/8" fuel line and cut to the length of the exposed strut rod. You can pop those on to keep the hood from accidentally closing..... Learned that one the hard way and cracked the hood.

[jwhit]

this looks like setting front end will be difficult process

[xlr8or]

this looks like setting front end will be difficult process

Not difficult so much as it is tedious. Lots of going back and forth, side to side etc to get all the edges lined up at the same time.