Hood adjustment

Steve_Mack_CT

Steve_Mack_CT

Senior Member
Does anyone know the procedure to adjust the front to back orientation of a 30 hood? It is tight against the raduator, but a good gap at firewall or cowl band area, even more so on driver side.

Thanks,

Steve
 
I assume that you are referring to the center hinge on top of your hood? If your front clearance is tight, you can adjust the two radiator support rods that run from the firewall to the top of the radiator for more clearance. Just push your radiator a bit forward. Loosen top radiator hose first and deal with water. Hood clearance between the side of the radiator and side of the body cowl is much more involved. Another story for another day?
 
Length, Width and then Height. This may sound strange but you may have to pull the rad back with the rad support rods first. I like about 1/8" of play in the hood front to back. Then make sure that the hood is square to the cowl side to side. This adjust ment gets tricky because it's a mixture of adjusting the support rods side to side and shimming the rad between the frame and the rad. If the frame is square and level and the cab is square to the frame the hood usually lines up easily. The problem comes from years of use and the frame gettings out of square. Depending on the hood alignment to the cowl you usually have to shim the cowl as well. This one takes times so don't get into a rush. Some reading on how to fit and shim the cowl and hood will save you alot of frustation.
 
Post 3 has good info. In addition, the Les Andrews green cover book from the vendors
has the dimensions for alignment and position of radiator to cowl, etc. 1/8" to 3/16" gaps all around are good. The cowl probably needs to be raised to get even rear hood gaps. The rear center hood rod bracket can slide laterally when the 2 screws loosened, and the vendors sell shims to raise the rear bracket also if needed.
 
I had this same issue with my 1930. Not original cab, see avatar. I had at least a 1/2" gap or more ( bottom at the cowl ). Knowing I did not have the original cab and it sat directly on the frame, I knew it was not aligned with the proper shims.
I raised the cab by at least a 1/2", maybe 3/4" and it lined up almost perfect. You might then have to adjust the radiator support rods for best results.
I would first check your body to frame mounts. See if you have the Proper wood mounting hardware and shimes.
Good luck
 
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