Hood alignment & adjustment

[sconnors]

Noticed today that the hood on the passenger's side has a much wider gap than the hood on the drivers side. However the front of both sides seem to line up. Is there any way to correct this? The passenger side front is hard to get the latch on even though it seems lined up. I've attached some pictures.
Any help would be greatly appreciated
Scott

 

[springerpete]

I have just been thru that problem myself. My correction was to take the sag out of the frame. Yours could be that or a worn out body block on that side. Might give both of these a look-see.

 

[ctlikon0712]

Mine has the problem as well. I've read on FordBarn that the sag typically is where the rear motor mounts are on the frame. Good luck.

 

[Fred K-OR]

I have a similar problem and I think springerpete has it identified. The only other problem could be a radiator that is set up to high.

 

[700rpm]

I have had some luck loosening the body bolts on my pickup and shifting the body. What you want to do is change the centerline of your rear hood bracket. There's an article in "How to Restore Your Model A Vol II" that addresses this trouble.

 

[columbiA]

Looks like the rear hood hinge bracket has to be mved to the left.Loosen the rear screws & the caged nuts will allow the bracket to be moved a bit.You can also add a shim or two under the bracket to raise it if gap is wider at bottom.

 

[TinCup]

First thing to try is to adjust the upper radiator support rods to try and line it up better. You can only get so much adjustment if the frame is sagging as had been mentioned. You will need to loosen upper radiator hose to allow the radiator to move then you tighten the rod on the side with the larger gap.

 

[Gddecolret]

Thank you for the*informative*posts.

 

[TerryH]

The radiator can also be adjusted slightly; if it is mis-aligned, there will be a larger gap one side, smaller on the other.

 

[Tinbasher]

From what I can see, the body block on the passengers side has collapsed and you'll have to shim up the front cowl bolt to lift that area. It should swing the hood to the even the gap top to bottom and side to side. I'd check the frame for a sag at the rear motor mount. The easiest way is to place a straight edge on the top edge of the frame rail at the motor mount. If there's a gap on the top between the frame and the straight edge you have a sag!! Anything over 1/4" (Max) should be straightened.

The Old Tinbasher

 

[Arlen]

I was going to suggest checking the very front body shim. Looks like a thin rubber donut. Adding/subtracting those can make a monstrous change in hood fit. Keep in mind that if too many shims get added, the hood latch only stretches so far.