1938 Ford hood prop

J

jhstal

Junior Member
1938 Ford tudor sedan. I am missing something on my hood prop, the lower hole in the hood prop assembly that lines up with the cowl pinch flange with a shouldered bolt has a large hole the size of dime, the bolt is 1/4", shoulder is 5/16 on bolt. Is there some type of special washer-bushing, guide?? that fills hole, mine is very loose on shouldered bolt. Upper mount on hood is correct and ok. John
 
John:

I seem to have somewhat the same problem as you. I have a 38 Tudor Sedan that's only got chrome hood hinges and no prop at all. I've been trying to find out exactly what's required to prop the hood open. I'm currently using a wood pole.

thanx
 
My '39 standard (which should be the same as the '38 deluxe) has a 1/4" diameter hole on the pinch flange on the cowl. The 5/16" shouldered bolt with 1/4-20 threads fits with normal clearance into the hole in the cowl with a lock washer and nut pointed inboard. Assuming your dime size hole is round, it may have been drilled out due to being worn. Welding a plate over the hole and re-drilling the 1/4 hole will work or possibly welding a dime sized washer in the hole will work as well.
 
Those factory props are a kinked hood waiting to happen. If you are not concours, fabricate a 1/4" rod the length you want the hood to open. Put a 90 degree bend in the bottom 3/4" with a cotter pin hole. Insert this through the hood side/radiator tabs and insert the cotter pin. Weld a stop (nut, washer, etc) about 3/4" down from the top of the rod. Drill a 1/4" hole in the turned under lip of the hood above the new hood prop. Fabricate a holding bracket for the new prop along the hood side and you're done.
 
As 40 cpe mentioned, almost all those style hoods get kinked in the area of the hood prop. Prior to painting the hood on my 39 Std.,I welded a 1/4 " piece of angle iron about 8" long to the top of the hood flange and the curved side, in the area where they kink. You would have to look really hard to see it.
 
My '39 pickup uses a brake rod for a hood prop. It pivots in an already-there hole next to the hood latch and sets in a hole under the hood. It has rubber hose over the rod and lays quietly on a radiator support rod.
 
On my 39 Std, as said, both side of the hood were kinked &/or split, from the hinge mounts. I have'nt installed my hood yet but I thinking of using some kind of prop.
 
jhstal said:
1938 Ford tudor sedan. I am missing something on my hood prop, the lower hole in the hood prop assembly that lines up with the cowl pinch flange with a shouldered bolt has a large hole the size of dime, the bolt is 1/4", shoulder is 5/16 on bolt. Is there some type of special washer-bushing, guide?? that fills hole, mine is very loose on shouldered bolt. Upper mount on hood is correct and ok. John
Click to expand...

I have the same problem with our 1938 tudor deluxe. Despite all the previous guesses, does anybody actually know the answer? The '38 is not the same as a '39. A shoulder bolt would make sense, but I haven't got a picture to verify.

Any real help would be appreciated. We're trying to stay stock and figure that if the hood lasted this long, then with a little restoration, the stock prop isn't gonna do any damage.

Thank you.
 
There is a sliding mechanism that mounts to the drivers side of the cowl section and on the hood. When you open the hood it slides up and into a notch and then you turn the stop on the slide to hold up the hood. That is why the hoods on the standards and pickups for 38-39 have a stress crack or are bent in that location.
 
beauishere said:
I have the same problem with our 1938 tudor deluxe. Despite all the previous guesses, does anybody actually know the answer? The '38 is not the same as a '39. A shoulder bolt would make sense, but I haven't got a picture to verify.

Any real help would be appreciated. We're trying to stay stock and figure that if the hood lasted this long, then with a little restoration, the stock prop isn't gonna do any damage.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

Aside from my post above, I can only look at the mounting hole on my '38 and tell you its size. I'll look tonight and report.
 
Here are a few pictures of the part you guys are looking for.
 

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The hole in the flange on my car will accept a 1/4" bolt but won't allow a 5/16" to pass. A dime-sized hole would take up the whole width of the flange.
 
Jack E/NJ said:
Broom handles can be tailored to custom fit just about any year hood. 8^)

Jack E/NJ
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That's what I'm sporting! as the original had almost ruined my hood. A good judge should add points to those who removed the original hood latches on 37,38's. Ha Ha
 
38 Ford hood prop, the large hole in the bottom of the prop is filled by a factory rubber hard bushing and inner sleeve, you have to make it, it was not designed to be replaced, came with new hood prop.
 
Seth
I do not know if the pickup prop is the same as a passenger car or not and I don't have a photo of a 39 car. I sold my 39 standard coupe so can't take a picture of it.
 
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