40 Ford Coup Hood Alignment
- Thread starter Scott De Shields
- Start date
white64
Senior Member
here are the "shoulders" on the rear of the hood for the hinges...
I cannot get this hood closer!
I've taken it apart, "adjusted the hinge arms and drilled out the hole on the cowl larger and the holes hinge brackets where the two bolts per side fit into the firewall/cowl. (using grade 8 - 1/4" bolts)
and it just doesn't want to get closer to the cowl. I loosen and push, re-tighten and loosen and push and re-tighten. these are factory hinges that are pretty tight.
Suggestions?
I cannot get this hood closer!
I've taken it apart, "adjusted the hinge arms and drilled out the hole on the cowl larger and the holes hinge brackets where the two bolts per side fit into the firewall/cowl. (using grade 8 - 1/4" bolts)
and it just doesn't want to get closer to the cowl. I loosen and push, re-tighten and loosen and push and re-tighten. these are factory hinges that are pretty tight.
Suggestions?
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19Fordy
Well-known member
Thanks for the photos of the "shoulders". I remember better now. Regarding the fit problem. Have you tried to loosen the bolts that hold the actual hinge to the side of the cowl. I have never messed with those bolts, but maybe there's some benefit in doing so.
I know it's frustrating, but hang in there.
I know it's frustrating, but hang in there.
white64
Senior Member
ok... I'm feeling "better" about the drivers side front to back, I think I need to bend the back hinge arm a little, since it's the one that controls the height at the cowl. it has an "s" bend in it.. so it shouldn't be too hard to make the "s" bend tighter, and keep the pivot point in plane on both sides.
BUT! The passenger side is still too far forward; the longer and straight front hinge controls the front and back adjustment... but you can't really bend it to make it shorter.
Next step!
1) Bend the rear hinges into a tighter "S" to see how it affects the alignment.
2) If that brings the hood closer to the cowl vertically, but still leaves a horizontal gap on the pass side.... I'll take a 1/4 inch out of the front hinge arm. (i have 1/2 gap on the pass side), it seems a 1/4 inch gap is considered success... back to the garage!
I haven't scratched the new paint.... yet!
BUT! The passenger side is still too far forward; the longer and straight front hinge controls the front and back adjustment... but you can't really bend it to make it shorter.
Next step!
1) Bend the rear hinges into a tighter "S" to see how it affects the alignment.
2) If that brings the hood closer to the cowl vertically, but still leaves a horizontal gap on the pass side.... I'll take a 1/4 inch out of the front hinge arm. (i have 1/2 gap on the pass side), it seems a 1/4 inch gap is considered success... back to the garage!
I haven't scratched the new paint.... yet!
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Kube
Super Moderator
I'd think twice prior to bending the hinges or the support arms. If, after very careful thought, they need to be bent, so be it.
Apparently you did not fit the hood prior to painting. As you have surely come to realize, you should have.
If your supports are not in good condition, IE worn pivots / rivets, the hood can and often will move out from the cowl. Also, the repop hinges are total crap. repop support arms seem to be a hit or miss thing. You either get a "good" pair or you don't. I prefer to rebuild authentic pieces.
19Fordy
Well-known member
White 64:
Here's a pair of hinges for sale. Be sure and verify they are FORD OEM.
Also, is it possible to "recondition" old worn hinges and supports ?
Might be worth a try.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1939-1940-1...ash=item43f2a24f81:g:zkIAAOSwnQhXngwf&vxp=mtr
Here's a pair of hinges for sale. Be sure and verify they are FORD OEM.
Also, is it possible to "recondition" old worn hinges and supports ?
Might be worth a try.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1939-1940-1...ash=item43f2a24f81:g:zkIAAOSwnQhXngwf&vxp=mtr
Jeff/Illinois
Well-known member
I'm not sure about a '40 Ford but my '36 Ford friends have told me more than once, a '36 is a nightmare to get the hood lined up right.
You wonder how the heck they did it so fast on the assy. line
You wonder how the heck they did it so fast on the assy. line
white64
Senior Member
I did bend the rear hinges so they were almost 90 degree bends, and it did have the desired affect of lowering the rear of the hood. But the bend on the passenger side was almost too much and it was actually a little too low, I had to reset the hinge plate from where it was to a little higher.
One thing I did notice was that the rear hinge arm was actually hitting and stopping on the cowl carriage bolt on the rear of the hinge plate. I bent the arm away from that a little and ground the head of the bolt a little more, it appeared the factory had already flattened it out or the hinge arm had worn the top of the bolt flat after some 70 years of use.
I kinda chickened out on cutting and shortening the front hinge arm, as someone had done successfully on the HAMB, they had shortened the arm 3/16th of an inch, that still seemed a little overkill to me. I think I am about as close as I'm going to get it.
One thing I did notice was that the rear hinge arm was actually hitting and stopping on the cowl carriage bolt on the rear of the hinge plate. I bent the arm away from that a little and ground the head of the bolt a little more, it appeared the factory had already flattened it out or the hinge arm had worn the top of the bolt flat after some 70 years of use.
I kinda chickened out on cutting and shortening the front hinge arm, as someone had done successfully on the HAMB, they had shortened the arm 3/16th of an inch, that still seemed a little overkill to me. I think I am about as close as I'm going to get it.
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white64
Senior Member
ok... that's enough of that!! (for awhile)
The passenger side is better, but not great
The driver side is better, but not great (the rear arm was still hitting the carriage bolt head and holding the rear of the hood 1/2" high in the rear, reshaped the arm just a little and ground a little off the bolt head. it now clears and the hood settles better in the rear)
On to the next character builder... the infamous grill -hood overbite! but maybe not today.....
The passenger side is better, but not great
The driver side is better, but not great (the rear arm was still hitting the carriage bolt head and holding the rear of the hood 1/2" high in the rear, reshaped the arm just a little and ground a little off the bolt head. it now clears and the hood settles better in the rear)
On to the next character builder... the infamous grill -hood overbite! but maybe not today.....
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