Wonky hood

[Higgybulin]

I'm sure people have run into this before. My hood sits good in 3 corners, no matter what I adjust there is no way to get the last corner to sit. It's the corner closet to the driver, bumpers don't help, latch won't do it and I am running out of ideas.
I have some weights on that corner and it's opposite right now, not sure how much that will do though.
Any input would be great!!!
Higgy

[michael everson]

Strap it to a table with a 2x4 in the center strap it down and then heat with a heat gun. Let it cool and try the fit again
Mike

[Ford & Jeep Fan]

don't these cars have 2 cam latches at the back of the hood? if so setup the hinges for correct lines and just let the cam latches set the height correct for the back.

[Higgybulin]

don't these cars have 2 cam latches at the back of the hood? if so setup the hinges for correct lines and just let the cam latches set the height correct for the back.

Two hood latches, but you cant bring down the corner when the latch is 6 inches away. Its actually the opposite, tighten the latch and the corner goes up.

[rich grsc]

You need to have the proper spacer in the center of the hood. That should do it, unless it's really tweaked

[Higgybulin]

You need to have the proper spacer in the center of the hood. That should do it, unless it's really tweaked

Lol, its really tweaked. Multiple rubber spacer combos, latches adjusted tight and loose, hinges adjusted in every possible way.

[rich grsc]

I'd say lay it out in the sun, but seeing were you live, don't think that'll work.

[Jeff Kleiner]

Not to say that it can’t happen but in all of them I have done I’ve never had to heat a hood to get it to fit. Can you show us some pics of what you’re seeing?

Jeff

[Higgybulin]

I'd say lay it out in the sun, but seeing were you live, don't think that'll work.

HA, your right about that!!!!

[Higgybulin]

Not to say that it can’t happen but in all of them I have done I’ve never had to heat a hood to get it to fit. Can you show us some pics of what you’re seeing?

Jeff

I'll post picks tomorrow Jeff

[Higgybulin]

Here you go. That's back left, back right, front right and front left. Hard to see even in the pic, back left is the problem.
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[michael everson]

Here are a couple of things to look for and try.
Does the hood fit in the opening with the hinge off?
If so make sure all of the adjustment slots still have travel in them. If one is out of travel it could tweak the hood a bit.
Make sure the underside of the hood is not hitting the flange in the hood opening. This could be caused by trimming too much off of one side.
If the lift supports are on, make sure they are not running out of travel before the hood is fully closed. Make sure they are not hitting anything mounted under the hood. If your pics are any indication, it fits pretty good. I cant remember the last time I had one fit perfect the first time.
Mike
Mike

[Higgybulin]

Here are a couple of things to look for and try.
Does the hood fit in the opening with the hinge off?
If so make sure all of the adjustment slots still have travel in them. If one is out of travel it could tweak the hood a bit.
Make sure the underside of the hood is not hitting the flange in the hood opening. This could be caused by trimming too much off of one side.
If the lift supports are on, make sure they are not running out of travel before the hood is fully closed. Make sure they are not hitting anything mounted under the hood. If your pics are any indication, it fits pretty good. I cant remember the last time I had one fit perfect the first time.
Mike
Mike
Hey Mike, I'm starting to wonder if I'm trying to get the fit too perfect! I did strap it over a table last night, no heat though as my gun is broken. I will keep messing with it today with the tips I keep getting.
Thanks Higgy

[Jeff Kleiner]

Higgy,
Back up and show some overall photos. Can't really tell what's going on with just the closeups of the corners.

Jeff

[Higgybulin]

Higgy,
Back up and show some overall photos. Can't really tell what's going on with just the closeups of the corners.

Jeff
Here you go!
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[Jeff Kleiner]

If it were me I'd try one thick bumper dead center and then see if the latches will pull the corners down. This is the very reason why when I'm positioning the latches I put them 13 1/2" to 14" off center but unless you feel like filling the existing holes it's too late for that. Plan B is to build up the body to match the hood like we usually have to do with the doors and trunk.

Jeff

[Higgybulin]

If it were me I'd try one thick bumper dead center and then see if the latches will pull the corners down. This is the very reason why when I'm positioning the latches I put them 13 1/2" to 14" off center but unless you feel like filling the existing holes it's too late for that. Plan B is to build up the body to match the hood like we usually have to do with the doors and trunk.

Jeff
No way I'm filling them holes lol. My latches are at 13 1/4" off center and I do have a big bumper dead center. I'm going to try to get the hood to sit deeper in the hood opening and like you said if all else fails build the body up.
Thanks
Higgy

[mlewis]

Stalking this thread as I am having the same issue (good good fit/depth with the upper two corners proud of the body)

Let me know what you come up with for a solution as I have not tried to fuss with this yet.

Thanks

[Higgybulin]

Ok, update! Taking into account the advise of guys who know a bunch more than me about these things(Mike, Jeff and Rich) this is what I did.
First and foremost I learned a long time ago racing that you make one change at a time. If you make a bunch at once you'll never know which one helped out or which one sent you backwards.
Not sure if my hinges were hitting the cross member or not, I decided to grind them down a bit.
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Now they have some room to sit lower.
After that it was multiple rubber bumper combinations. Small, big, shaved, stacked....well not stacked but you get the idea.
Also, hood latches I adjusted to fit tight, super tight and snug to find out where it was putting my problem corner. With the bumper combos I came up with I found a nice snug adjustment for the latches that I am comfortable with.
Maybe I was getting to impatient in the beginning. Pretty happy with how it sits now.
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