Keeping the hood centered in the body.....

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

I did a search and didn't see anything on this specific subject. Maybe I reinvented the wheel? With the hinge kit installed, the hinges do an ok job of keeping the front of the hood centered in the body, but the rear edge can flop from side to side by a ton. Seems like a perfect way to mess up a nice paint job with the edge of the hood crashing into the body every time you open and close the hood? Anyway, this is what I came up with......but I can't imagine someone doesn't already offer a solution for this?

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[ggunter]

That is beautiful, I was wrestling with my hood last weekend wondering how to adjust the hinges to keep a little bind in them to keep the hood centered. What a great idea. Thanks!

[rich grsc]

That's a nice solution, but maybe the hinges aren't adjusted correctly? In all the years I've driven, I haven't ever had the edge of the hood hit the body.

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

Nothing you can do to adjust the slop out of the hinges....they are assembled with wave washer specifically so there is slop in the system so they don't bind up. Before I installed the bracket to keep the rear of the hood centered, you could close the hood and then shove the back part of the hood back and forth until it was slamming the edge of the hood into the body on both sides. If no such solution already exists, I will add this as a product available on my website....

[rich grsc]

I understand, sometimes the strips don't line up, so I have to give it a slight nudge :D.
They look good. Keith and I could do a product test for you.:rolleyes:

[Papa]

Nothing you can do to adjust the slop out of the hinges....they are assembled with wave washer specifically so there is slop in the system so they don't bind up. Before I installed the bracket to keep the rear of the hood centered, you could close the hood and then shove the back part of the hood back and forth until it was slamming the edge of the hood into the body on both sides. If no such solution already exists, I will add this as a product available on my website....

Best place for the wave washers is in the round file. Jeff Kleiner re-did my hinges using fender washers and no slop or binding. Back to the presented solution; FANTASTIC! I also took advice from those before me and created an indent in the tabs that the hood latch rests on so that when closed, it keeps the latches from moving.

[j.miller]

YEP ! Round file the wave washers and use 5/16 USS Cut washers. Tighten and back off 1/8th turn. No slop, no shift....da Bat

[thebicman]

Several variants have been done over the years. Do a search for "hood centering pin". I thought one of the venders here also sold a kit years ago. Maybe.

[VRaptor SpeedWorks, LLC]

I've added these to my website if anyone is interested:

http://vraptorspeedworks.com/custom-roadster-parts/

http://vraptorspeedworks.com/mk-4-roadster-hood-centering-brackets/