When to mark and cut out opening for hood scoop

[Broadwaydan]

I am just starting on the body work. All seams ground down, filled and sanded one time. More to go, but had a question on the hood scoop. When is the best time to measure and cut out the opening in the hood and marking and drilling mount holes for the scoop? Should I wait until the body is mounted and hood completely fit? Or, is it ok to cut the opening before putting the hood in place and finalizing the fit? I laid it in place and looks like I will have to do some cutting/sanding on both sides of the hood for final fit, so is it critical to do that before cutting the opening and/or drilling the scoop mount holes in the hood?

Dan

[FFinisher]

Yes, fit the hood FIRST. If you ceneter the scoop on the hood prior to fitting, then grind one side more then the other the scoop will no longer be centered.

So fit the hood first
Then measure 100 ways to make sure the scoop is centered

Once centered drill the holes for the attaching hardware.

Once the holes have been drilled remove the hood scoop.

Measure inside the hood and make the opening smaller than the locations where the holes are. I usually measure in about 1 inch or so on the sides and rear and about 2 inches from the front edge. This will give you a nice extension under the front of the scoop, then you will have a uniform exposure on the backside of the hood when the hood is open.

Hope this helps!

[Broadwaydan]

FFinisher,

Thanks for the information. That is very helpful. Two other questions you might be able to answer. I think the hood just has some bumpers, not a seal, if I read the manual correctly, I assume those should be in as well when the hood is finished? Should I put in the door and trunk seal when those are fit and finished? Thanks again.

Dan

[FFinisher]

it is important to make sure the hood is at the correct height as the body has some taper. In other words if you grind it so it fits to the bottom of the hole it will be too small when you raise it up to the proper height. This is also important for the trunk, not so much for the doors, but it won't hurt.

[efnfast]

Why did they stock making the scoop as part of the hood? From my perspective (somebody who has 0 body work experience and SUCKS at measuring), that would piss me the hell off if i had to graft on my own scoop.

[David Hodgkins]

Alex,

The rivit-on (or bolt on in my case :)) hood scoop was part of the overall MKIV effort to make the car more period correct. The molded scoop was not centered correctly out of the mold anyway. Plus, now builders have the option of running with or without a scoop.

HTH,

:)

[MPTech]

I prefer the riveted on look. I was glad to hear it on the MK4, as I already planned it as a MK3.1 mod when I was going down that path. Saved me a heap of work!