Hood Hinge installtion

[Cleve]

Today we installed the hood for the first time. When we installed our radiator to the upper cross beam we noticed that the radiator was not square with the body. The upper cross member on the frame is approximately a little over one half inch closer to the firewall on the driver side. This issue is now coming back to bite us in the hood hinge installation. When we attempted to adjust the hinge assembly ,on the drivers side, the most forward arm on the hinge comes down on top of the cross member and it stops the hood from aligning properly. The passenger side sits off the crossbeam by approx. one inch.
The body is on correctly with the jack screws in place
Our only solution is to cut the square cross beam and move it forward and reweld it. Making both sides the same. Any other solutions would be appreciated.
Thanks Cleve

[michael everson]

I have not seen one off that far. I have had the hood hinge hit that bar. I just notched the arm that was hitting. A little goes a long way.
Mike

[Jeff Kleiner]

They're all like that; that bar above the radiator has never been square. You need to raise the nose of the body. If it's resting on the square tube you won't be able to get the hood to adjust low enough without the arm hitting. I shim the body upwards about 5/8" by using hard rubber blocks at the front of the tubes that run alongside the hood opening. Put them at the end, right before the miter where the tube angles down to the bumper mount plates.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=132309&d=1593171081

Jeff

[Cleve]

Thanks good idea. Did you have to do that to both sides and then adjust the jack screws?

[Jeff Kleiner]

Thanks good idea. Did you have to do that to both sides and then adjust the jack screws?

Both sides on dozens of cars.

Jeff

[Mark Reynolds]

I have seen them noticeably crooked but not on all frames. Different I think than what Jeff is pointing out. It's like the welding "jig" allows more than one way to install the crossbar. To me it is a cut, reposition to level, re-weld and touch up.

[Wizbangdoodle]

When I was installing my radiator, I noticed this. I called FFR and they explained that it is intentionally that way from years ago and using Mustang donor parts. They've just never changed the design. I guess now that the MkV is out, they don't need to worry about it any longer.