Aligning Hood [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: Aligning Hood


72Elky
Mar 19th, 01, 5:02 PM
Well my dad and I just put the hood back on the Elky after finishing the engine rebuild. Man...was that a pain. It was my first time doing it, and my dad hasn't done a hood alignment since his body shop days in trade school. We finally got it done...but as with anything on our cars..it could be better. We've got the gaps all pretty much lined up and of the same spacing. Our only problem is the rear of the hood sits a bit higher than the surrounding fenders. Yet when we lower the rear, it either is too low to open the hood fully, or it hits the wiper arms. Should I lower the rear bolt on the hood spring, raise the front, or what? It isn't imparitive that it be fixed...I was just wondering the correct way to align a hood. Thanks in advance!

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"People in cars cause accidents, and accidents in cars cause people"

Justin LaMora

1972 El Camino SS
355 C.I.D. w/450 horsepower

355 Engine (http://www.geocities.com/elky_1972ss/side_engine.jpg)
Interior View (http://www.geocities.com/elky_1972ss/side_interior.JPG)
My Elky at the Sterling Auto Show (http://www.geocities.com/elky_1972ss/show.JPG)
Top View of the Elky (http://www.geocities.com/elky_1972ss/top_view.jpg)
Rear View of the Elky (http://www.geocities.com/elky_1972ss/rear_top.jpg)

MARTINSR
Mar 19th, 01, 5:14 PM
You can shim down the hinge under front bolt on the hinge at the hood, this will lower it without messing with the hinge it's self.

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1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T

bb67H-D
Mar 19th, 01, 5:26 PM
Martinsr is right on the money,It is also a great way the aline the trunk height buy using either the front or rearword bolt you can raise or lower.Quite easy none the less.
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Brett
'67
SS396
clone

dmc9
Mar 19th, 01, 6:06 PM
Thanks martinsr that is a good idea. I will remember that .

BLURAT
Mar 20th, 01, 2:24 PM
Also having freshly rebuilt hinges helps hold alignment,and prevents the rear from sinking/raising/closing rear edge gaps.

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Steve Cuddihy
Mar 20th, 01, 2:58 PM
Most times when the rear of the hood sticks up its due to the springs on the hood hindges getting weak. You might have to get new springs.

Bill T SS70
Mar 21st, 01, 5:48 PM
Hood alignment can be tricky. Some very good and detailed posts have been discussed in the past. Do a search in Chevelle Tech or here in body shop.

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Bill Taylor
TC Gold Member #73
December 1999 Feature Car
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