1941-1948 Ford hood hinge help

Chris

Chris

Well-known member
Hello guys, I have a 46 Ford coupe that the hood always sticks up in the back...more on one side then the other. I can push the hood down on each side but it still does not sit down nice and even. The hinges are lubed and work very smoothly. I have taken the hood off but do not visually see anything that looks wrong (bent, worn, etc)...has anyone had this problem on one of these cars? I see no way to adjust anything. I have owned several 41-48 Fords over the years and never remember the hoods not shutting correctly. It latches and opens/closes fine, it is simply how it lays acrsos the cowl that is the issue.


On a side note, worse comes to worse I see new hinges are made. Has anyone used a set? Do they work?


Thanks, Chris
 
I'm in your same situation. I have a set of original hinges I tightened up and a new Bob Drake set. I'm asking someone else to make it fit. Did you know there are two styles of hinges, early one has two pieces for each side and later has one piece?
 
mrtexas said:
I'm in your same situation. I have a set of original hinges I tightened up and a new Bob Drake set. I'm asking someone else to make it fit. Did you know there are two styles of hinges, early one has two pieces for each side and later has one piece?
Click to expand...



Have you tried the new Bob Drakes on your car? Did they not work?
 
Chris, your problem is not an uncommon one. If you can get a copy of the V-8 Times, 2009, May/June issue there is an article on how to adjust the hood for '41 thru '48 cars. I had the same issue as you and the article helped align my hood perfectly.
 
Google Marks Ford parts and Mark's website comes up and you can find the link to the article at the bottom of the page.
 
picture.php
I also have same problem, one owner drilled a new hole and worked better.
One problem I have is my car is a 47 with a 46 nose. On passer side is wider at cowl ,seams like the nose is to far to left side. I see they after market kits to improve the hood and stays open higher. There is very little movement the adjust nut is in side car may help.
 
had that problem with my 46 merc new bob drake hinges did all adjustments via early ford v8 instructions,nothing worked ,I bit the bullet and bought a kit from speedway and hood sits flush now and stays open to
 

Attachments

  • 9117002_L_1503f401.jpg
    9117002_L_1503f401.jpg
    66.5 KB · Views: 39
  • 9117002~1_L_1503f3ff.jpg
    9117002~1_L_1503f3ff.jpg
    101.2 KB · Views: 44
I had the same problem with the 48 hood. I installed a new set of hinges with springs from Drake and it pulled the hood down where it should be. Also it will now stay up without a prop.
 
On mine, no amount of adjustment fixed the problem. I finally removed the springs and it sat down perfectly. I use a stick to hold the hood up when needed.

Possibly all new hinges would have helped but I didn't go to that extent. My fix was cheaper and quicker and works great.
 
Any chance it is one spring exerting more force then the other? I will look at my 41 tomorrow and take a pic of the hinge and post it for you if you would like.
 
I had the same problem with my 48.
An old time body man came by and had me take the kick panels out
from the inside. There are some bolts there. Loosen them. He then
pushed around from the front of the hood a few times and Voila it fits
good now.
 
I could do it for you but can't tell you how to do it. I was out your way back in 2012 for an AF reunion and could have fix it for but too late. I do have to say who ever organizes the Armed Forces Torch Light Parade sure have it down pat. I think we were # 285 entry.
 
Old Henry said:
On mine, no amount of adjustment fixed the problem. I finally removed the springs and it sat down perfectly. I use a stick to hold the hood up when needed.

Possibly all new hinges would have helped but I didn't go to that extent. My fix was cheaper and quicker and works great.
Click to expand...
Exactly what I ended up doing on my '41. No springs and sits perfectly, with the springs the hood acts like it is too wide at the cowl.
 
Old Henry said:
On mine, no amount of adjustment fixed the problem. I finally removed the springs and it sat down perfectly. I use a stick to hold the hood up when needed.

Possibly all new hinges would have helped but I didn't go to that extent. My fix was cheaper and quicker and works great.
Click to expand...

mrtexas said:
Anyone out can post a picture of 41 vs 42-48 hinges?
Click to expand...
evidently there are early and late '41 hinges to boot!!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top