Hood Installation question

[Punuffney]

The build manual lacks clarity for hood installation, with mismatched photos that seem to reference older designs. When installing my hood brackets, I noticed the fiberglass was very thin—about 1/8", and not backed by aluminum as described in Mark's 35 build thread (post #201 (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?44055-Mark-s-35-Truck-Build-Extended-w-Gen-3-Coyote/page6)). After fitting 1/4-so rivnuts and mounting the bracket, I heard the fiberglass crunching on my first hood open and believe the rivnuts won’t hold after a few uses. I plan to reinforce the area with more fiberglass layers. Has anyone else had this issue or found a way to strengthen the mount?

[mkassab]

If I was you, I'd call FFR and demand a new hood that has the proper aluminum backing. As you saw in my build thread, I didn't have that issue.

Good Luck,
Mark

[Punuffney]

Thanks, Mark. I was thinking the same thing, but I'm trying to get my build far enough along to go through inspection and I fear that waiting for a replacement would delay my inspection process. Perhaps I will still request a replacement from FF and work through options while the replacement is in transit.

After just one more hood open, the rivnuts pulled out of the fiberglass. Here are a couple pictures to show how thin the fiberglass was.
221023221024221025

I decide to mock up a reinforcement using sheet metal that I had on hand.
221026221027

Regarding mounting these brackets to the hood, I was considering using either panel bond between the metal and fiberglass and reinforcing with fasteners or using fasteners to secure the bracket to the fiberglass and then laying fiberglassing over the entire bracket. I'm curious what forum members would recommend?

[mkassab]

I think the sheet metal might be a bit light and end up flexing/bending/breaking. If it was me, I'd consider some combinations of the following options:
1. Do you even need a hood to get through inspection? If No, then just get a new hood from FFR.
If Yes, then a few ideas follow:
2. You'll need a high quality High Strength Fiberglass filler, Like 3M Marine grade.
3. Do what you're doing with the sheet metal, but make it thicker using some 1/8" flat mild steel, weld it all together and bond with 3M panel epoxy. Keep the original face dimensions of the fiberglass so the mounting surface of the new steel would be the same of the original fiberglass.
4. Cut out the end or section of the hood in the area that broke. Clean the inside of the cavity and roughen. Then with a small putty knife spread the High Strength filler to form the same shape that was originally there. This would give you the strongest base to mount your new steel to.
5. Rework the entire hood mounting area to create what should have come from FFR, i.e., get 1/4" aluminum and fiberglass the entire area to replicate what you should have gotten.

I know what I wrote might be hard to follow and I'd be happy to discuss on the phone with you. If you want, PM me and we can arrange a call.

Mark

[mkassab]

Here's another note. Anytime you need a Rivet Nut in fiberglass or thin sheet metal, use a rivet nut like this https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?44055-Mark-s-35-Truck-Build-Extended-w-Gen-3-Coyote&p=553126&viewfull=1#post553126 that spreads the load out on a much larger surface area. And, if you have access to the back side, put a washer over the rivit nut then compress it.

[Guardm16]

I had the same issue, I added a piece of 3"-1/4 aluminum angle to the corner, that did the trick. It looks to me like the hood has the metal inside but only on the horizontal; parallel to the bottom edge of the hood. I added to the front of the hood to make mine look like the 33 hot rod, and then bought the 33 hinge. When I ordered the 33 grill and hood, I thought I would get the 33 hood. I got the shorter 35 truck hood and a grill surround to fit that, so I cut the surround and added it to the hood to get the extra length. The 33 hinge attaches to the horizontal/parallel shoulder with metal behind.

The angle I added needed to extend forward about 4 inches to meet the 33 hinge. All of this added many hours to my build and I have a small line across my hood where the hood and surround met up, all the long strand fiberglass filler in there still flexes at a different rate than the hood and surround, so, I have a disappointing line that keeps returning, even after two attempts at body work and repaint.. I would have been better off talking to the person who took my order and explained exactly what I wanted rather than assuming that the 33 grill would come with a 33 hood when ordered together.

This knowledge does not change the fact that the 35 hood hinge is designed to attach to an area that only has thin fiberglass.

[Guardm16]

Thanks, Mark. I was thinking the same thing, but I'm trying to get my build far enough along to go through inspection and I fear that waiting for a replacement would delay my inspection process. Perhaps I will still request a replacement from FF and work through options while the replacement is in transit.

After just one more hood open, the rivnuts pulled out of the fiberglass. Here are a couple pictures to show how thin the fiberglass was.
221023221024221025

I decide to mock up a reinforcement using sheet metal that I had on hand.
221026221027

Regarding mounting these brackets to the hood, I was considering using either panel bond between the metal and fiberglass and reinforcing with fasteners or using fasteners to secure the bracket to the fiberglass and then laying fiberglassing over the entire bracket. I'm curious what forum members would recommend?

I would be curious what FFR tech would say. I saw the flex and heard the cracking in mine and knew that would not work. But like I said above, I was heading another direction anyway.

[FFinisher]

I would be curious what FFR tech would say. I saw the flex and heard the cracking in mine and knew that would not work. But like I said above, I was heading another direction anyway.

FFR tech would say,

"WE have had a couple like that. We will Make it right."

I had one , they gave me a new hood. All of those hoods should have supporting steel in them when they're made.

I like some of the solutions offered here, There is no need to call and "Demand" a new hood. FFR is good with customer service, and will help you solve the issue .

to the original poster , please call them.