Body Alignment?

[mountinpie]

The hood on this thing is giving me fits, but could it be the body alignment? The hood fits really well on the passenger side. On the driver's side, it wants to overlap the radiator shell in the front leaving a 1" gap at the cowl. I know I can tweak the radiator some, but what's more is that it seems like the cowl should be pushed to the passenger side. Using a straight edge from the splash apron up to the cowl, the cowl extends over the splash apron on the driver's side, but could come about 1/2" on the passenger side. Given the existing holes in the body blocks, frame, etc. it doesn't seem like there's much room for movement in the body mounting. Also, if I run a string line from the radiator cap over the fuel cap and through the cab to the center of the back window, it seems to point to the same problem...cowl needs to go toward the passenger side. Doors fit great, but might need one shim in the front of the cowl to bring them down. Any suggestions on how to tighten this up?

Thanks.

 

[Kurt in NJ]

Start with checking frame rails, perhaps the drivers side is tweaked down and over some---frame sag .---how do the doors fit

 

[fordcragar]

I'd start with the frame too. You might a frame shop put some frame gauges on it to determine if it is level and straight.

 

[duke36]

In addition to other comments, check dimensions from cowl to radiator shell per Les Andrews green book. Also, it appears your cowl may need raising as well as minor shimming of rear hinge support. Some after market radiators/tanks don't fit well and can change the alignment as well.

 

[desotoguy]

This may help with the alignment. I would suggest this procedure not be performed while consuming ADULT beverage.

 

[George Miller]

Sounds like typical frame sag on the driver side by the rear motor mount. There are two types the ones that have been straighten and the ones that need straighten. Yours sounds like 1/8=1/4 inch sag.

 

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

I knew of a Guy whose hood fit perfectly, except his L/H side overlapped the grill shell. He COULDN'T figure out what was wrong??? He did a BEAUTIFUL job, narrowing the panel on an angle & PROBLEM SOLVED!!!

Where there's a WILL, there's TINSNIPS!
Bill W.

 

[mountinpie]

Thanks for the help everyone. I think I understand the shins now, but what I don't get is why is seems like the cowl needs shifted toward the passenger side? Like I said, on the driver side, the cowl seems to overhang the splash apron, but not so on the passenger side.