I have been working on fitting my hood on my 40 business coupe using lots of info from this site and others. after hours of fooling with it seems something is wrong with the hood, A pillar, or me. Probably all of the above. ive got the passenger side of the hood fitting pretty good nowhere perfect but something i can live and work with. The drivers side is where things go wrong. it is binding on the A pillar and i cant seem to get it close enough to the cowl either. the passenger side is about 1/4' gap the driver 1/2'. i have enlarger all the holes for the hinge something else seems to be stopping it. you will also notice the the hood not only binds on driver side but is aligned at top and bottom but the middle seems to be pulled in. the hood also isn't quite flat on the cowl it seems to peak in the middle. i have included pictures of both sides, the drivers side showing bind points with a slip of paper i has been using to assure clearance. also pics of hood on cowl as well as the braces under the hood that hold the hinges. the brace dont seem to be twisted but are pulled out from the hood skin a bit. also on the drive side the cross brace is not as tight against skin as the passenger side. i dont have enough experience to know if any of this might be causing some of the other issues. i am using repop hinges although they seem to be working pretty good. i have also replaced both A pillars with bob drake pillars so the driver pillar may be a bit off itself or i may have not put it in perfect . doors line up good on both sides. i would appreciate any opinions after looking at the included pics.. thanks.
advice for correcting issues on 40 coupe
- Thread starter stubbygda
- Start date
Kube
Super Moderator
Where to start, where to start???
I suppose first... Drake hinges were nice but not that nice. In other words, they were not formed quite right (close, but not right) and they are often way too tight.
Prior to installing them, did you move each arm? How tight were they? They should move rather easily. If they don't you will need to do whatever is necessary to get them loose. Occasionally simply moving them back and forth a zillion times will do it.
I would suggest for the time being, remove the hood supports. They can, believe it or not, throw off the alignment. I tend to go very methodically at this alignment issue.
Oh, also, if you haven't already, remove all rubber bumpers.
You have no doubt already figured out that by pivoting the hinge down, the hood will move up. Move the hinge up? The hood will lower.
I suppose first... Drake hinges were nice but not that nice. In other words, they were not formed quite right (close, but not right) and they are often way too tight.
Prior to installing them, did you move each arm? How tight were they? They should move rather easily. If they don't you will need to do whatever is necessary to get them loose. Occasionally simply moving them back and forth a zillion times will do it.
I would suggest for the time being, remove the hood supports. They can, believe it or not, throw off the alignment. I tend to go very methodically at this alignment issue.
Oh, also, if you haven't already, remove all rubber bumpers.
You have no doubt already figured out that by pivoting the hinge down, the hood will move up. Move the hinge up? The hood will lower.
alchemy
Well-known member
I never found repro hinges that fit. Granted I’ve only messed with two 40’s.
I’d also be suspect of the cowl sides. Either their own shape, or maybe the installation.
On one of my 40 projects I cut the inner cross brace to adjust the spread, and rewelded it while inside the engine compartment.
I’d also be suspect of the cowl sides. Either their own shape, or maybe the installation.
On one of my 40 projects I cut the inner cross brace to adjust the spread, and rewelded it while inside the engine compartment.
no hood supports on it and no bumpers only cowl lacing. i will play some more with hinge location. i understand how it’s position affects the hood but is there a rule of thumb about the hinge arms? i know front arm controls front/back and rear up/down how does more or less bend affect it? the hinge arms move pretty freely not tight or loose. if it turns out to be the cowl shape would the suggestion be to massage A pillar in or hood out? what kind of clearance is reasonable at rear of hood and cowl? i appreciate the help.
thanks.
thanks.