Fitting the hood on a Mk III Roadster

[corderm]

I recently acquired a Mk III Roadster. I had to order a new hood, which has just arrived. Since they are made oversized, I am looking for suggestions as to the best place to start sanding it down to size. I am thinking about doing the front and rear edges first to get the proper length, then doing the sides. Am I on track here, or is there a better method that someone can suggest? Thanks.

Mark

[chmhasy]

check out these videos https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok9W_Dzao3M there is part 2, 3 also

[j.miller]

Fist thing is to look at the bottom and see if the bottom panel has an even reveal or a bias to one side and trim accordingly. Take off enough material so it just fits the hole then you can scribe or use tape to mark your trim lines. If it's your first time (and it is) take it a little bit at a time so that you have a chance to readjust the hood in the hole if you happen to take to much off a side. Good luck....Dabat

[Jeff Kleiner]

Only thing I have to add to Da bat's comment is to take most of the fore/aft material from the front edge of the hood. If you take too much from the back and then have to move it rearward in the hole to even up your gaps you run the risk of having the underside rib at the rear of the hood colliding with the body flange.

Jeff

[AC Bill]

Back when I was doing my MK3.1 hood, I was reminded to be sure to first put a some small pieces of hood seal, (or spacers of some sort), on the body lip in several locations.

These were to to hold the hood up slightly off the body lip, as it will be when the hood seal, or rubber bumpers are in place when the car is completed. This will help attain a better body to hood, gap space. While trimming it, you want the hood edges sitting up flush with the body, not dropped down into the opening, and resting on the body lip. That could make for a much larger body gap then desired, as there is a slight bevel to that opening.
Your bodyman/painter should gap the hood when final fitting is done anyways, but it will help when your installing the hinges, and latches, if the gap is close to where you want it.

[j.miller]

Back when I was doing my MK3.1 hood, I was reminded to be sure to first put a some small pieces of hood seal, (or spacers of some sort), on the body lip in several locations.

These were to to hold the hood up slightly off the body lip, as it will be when the hood seal, or rubber bumpers are in place when the car is completed. This will help attain a better body to hood, gap space. While trimming it, you want the hood edges sitting up flush with the body, not dropped down into the opening, and resting on the body lip. That could make for a much larger body gap then desired, as there is a slight bevel to that opening.
Your bodyman/painter should gap the hood when final fitting is done anyways, but it will help when your installing the hinges, and latches, if the gap is close to where you want it.



yes yes yes.... strips of the 1/2 x 1/4 foam seal for the hood rails works well.

[corderm]

Good information; my thanks to all that contributed to help me with this.

Mark