Hood fit to grill, sticks out on one side

[Svtfreak]

One side rides real high. See photos below. I do not have good struts on. Gen 2 hinges. It’s like it’s flared out wider than it should be. Anyone give tips how to fix this? I’ve tried pulling the hinges in on their slots to no avail.

https://i.imgur.com/6Ddw2A2.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/H6DNwOY.jpg

[Svtfreak]

I just tried to loosen the bolts at the radiator that have slots side to side, and the cross brace. Pulled it in with a ratchet strap, to no avail. Don’t get why that didn’t work to pull hood sides in some.

[Svtfreak]

Wait a sec. I’m onto something. I was taking it off to fit the back and make some brackets. Once I took the bolts out, it sprung in a touch. Something is pushing it apart. Maybe my pads aren’t meeting up with the hinge pads just right. I’ll check that out when I put it back on. Still open to suggestions if anyone has advice or experience.

[David Hodgkins]

dang it! wish I knew how to help... bump

:)

[Svtfreak]

When it sits lower, it lines up. I can fit it lower ands then match the body to the grill with some filler maybe.

[rapidray]

On my build I had the same problem (I have the 32 nose however) I slotted the 4 holes that the attach the grill to the radiator support so I was able to adjust the grill up and down, worked great. I don't know where you are in your build, but if you are running the lower and side panels you need to fit them prior to the hood install. Work your way from bottom to top, as suggested by Tony at FFR. Cheers and good luck! Ray

[Svtfreak]

Thanks Ray. I intend to run side panels, but that’s a whole other beast to tackle. I’ve cut mine to make them removable without pulling the headlights off and to trim up the front when they are off. I’ll keep that in mind, though. I seem to recall the manual fitting the hood first even. You got me curious now.

[wrp]

There has been a continuous battle going on concerning Hood Hinges, gas struts, side panels, and fitment. When we initially did my build they had the hood alignment pretty much spot on. However. There was a lot of damage to the grill itself as the l shaped swing arms bent out over the top of the grill. At any point the gas shocks were removed, they crashed down n the face of the grill, generally damaging it. When I had the louvered side panels fabricated I realized I would need to work on that part of it. I discovered between myself and several shops that have worked on the hinges, they were not assembled right at all. Looking at the diagrams in the original manual it was hard to tell from a three dimensional perspective, how they were pieced together. I also discovered an article by Dan Ruth indicating that one of the problems with the hinges contacting the grill was the lower mounting holes for the gas shocks was too high.Working with this also solved the issue of the back edge of the hood sliding off into the engine compartment when it was released. Lowering them an inch made everything work well. Tim Whitteaker worked hard with me to help find the right gas shocks, many felt the pressure from the shocks was pushing up on the hinge mounting plates which when the hood was latched in the center, caused the ends to bow out like that. There have even been a few innovative solutions showing cross bracing under the hood to hold this edges tight to the grill. There have been at least 1-2 changes in the hinge design, but I am determined to make the original hinges work and cannot talk to the later designs. When I moved the shock mounts down. The hood did not open so far forward and is generally much more stable when propped open. Anyhow, here is a video of some of the underwood workings.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7tEZZeo_oqY