'40 Ford hood center trim installation problem

V8 Bob

V8 Bob

Well-known member
I'm close to finishing the build on my deluxe '40 coupe but have had no luck installing the hood center trim.
The first issue was just getting the clips into the trim. I finally used pliers to slightly "square" the clips opposite the prongs that now allows the clips to slide easily.

I've tried using the OE and a Drake trim piece, but the clips just do not want to lock in.

All the other trim installed with no problems, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Any help will be appreciated.

Bob
 
V8 Bob said:
I'm close to finishing the build on my deluxe '40 coupe but have had no luck installing the hood center trim.
The first issue was just getting the clips into the trim. I finally used pliers to slightly "square" the clips opposite the prongs that now allows the clips to slide easily.

I've tried using the OE and a Drake trim piece, but the clips just do not want to lock in.

All the other trim installed with no problems, so I don't know what I'm doing wrong. Any help will be appreciated.

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob, Are you 100% certain you have the correct clips?
 
Hmmmm... Like you, I have had to bend the new clips just a bit to get them in place.
When you state they won't lock in, do you mean into the trim, or into the hood?
 
Kube said:
Hmmmm... Like you, I have had to bend the new clips just a bit to get them in place.
When you state they won't lock in, do you mean into the trim, or into the hood?
Click to expand...


Mike, they won't lock into the hood. I opened up the hood slot lengths from primer/paint to match the lightly primed spare hood (about .240") but the slots may not be wide enough.
 
V8 Bob said:
Mike, they won't lock into the hood. I opened up the hood slot lengths from primer/paint to match the lightly primed spare hood (about .240") but the slots may not be wide enough.
Click to expand...

Okay, now I believe I fully understand your dilemma.
I use a small - round jewelers file to open up the slots after painting.
I also start the clips in the slots and pull them through with a pliers from the underside.

I have put dings in the trim when attempting to push the trim into place.

The repop trim is thinner than the authentic trim and will "ding" that much easier.
 
Bob, Installing this particular piece is a pain for me. I'd strongly advise you file the holes to be 100% certain there is no paint in them. My experience tells me the issue is the existing size of the hole.
 
Bob, Don't know if it will help but here are some photos of the clips that hold the center hood trim on my 40 DeLuxe. The dia. of the wire clip is 1/16 in.

Be careful not to kink or deform the center hood stainless trim when you install the hood ornament.
 

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Kube said:
Okay, now I believe I fully understand your dilemma.
I use a small - round jewelers file to open up the slots after painting.
I also start the clips in the slots and pull them through with a pliers from the underside.

I have put dings in the trim when attempting to push the trim into place.

The repop trim is thinner than the authentic trim and will "ding" that much easier.
Click to expand...

Kube said:
Bob, Installing this particular piece is a pain for me. I'd strongly advise you file the holes to be 100% certain there is no paint in them. My experience tells me the issue is the existing size of the hole.
Click to expand...


If the dings you mention are along the bottom edges, I have a few, both on the Drake repop and OE trim piece. I'll have a local polisher/repair guy smooth them out before I continue.
I'll also get a better file and open up the slots better.

Pulling the clips with pliers sounds like a great idea, and is what I"ll do next.
A good friend and body shop owner brought over some special tape that would work if all else fails, but I would rather try and use the clips first. Thanks Mike and deuce for the help. I'll get back with results. :)
Bob
 
Bob, I wouldn't advise trying to pull out the trim clips in the hood with pliers. You will destroy them. They don't compress that easily.

Instead, squeeze the two little clip prongs that extend thru the hood together and use a small piece of wood to gently push them up. Don't try to push each clip all the way up and thru the hood. Only push up each clip enough to get it partially thru the hole. Then go back and gently push them completely through the hole with your little wooden stick. This approach prevents damaging the center trim piece by excessive bending as it raises the trim upward a little at a time.

That's how I did it in 1988.
 
19Fordy said:
Bob, Don't know if it will help but here are some photos of the clips that hold the center hood trim on my 40 DeLuxe. The dia. of the wire clip is 1/16 in.

Be careful not to kink or deform the center hood stainless trim when you install the hood ornament.
Click to expand...

19Fordy said:
Bob, I wouldn't advise trying to pull out the trim clips in the hood with pliers. You will destroy them. They don't compress that easily.

Instead, squeeze the two little clip prongs that extend thru the hood together and use a small piece of wood to gently push them up. Don't try to push each clip all the way up and thru the hood. Only push up each clip enough to get it partially thru the hole. Then go back and gently push them completely through the hole with your little wooden stick. This approach prevents damaging the center trim piece by excessive bending as it raises the trim upward a little at a time.

That's how I did it in 1988.
Click to expand...


Thank you 19Fordy.
 
Just to clarify my earlier post... I use a pliers to pull the clips in place through the hood. I do NOT press on the molding.
 
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