This weekend, I finally picked up a repo 66 SS hood. The reason I got a new hood, is because the old one seemed to be stressed, and had a bow in it. Where the front bolt(s) of the hood hinge mounts, the hood seemed to have an exaggerated bow in it, and when the hood was closed, the front and back was even with the fenders, and the middle bowed up about 1/4". I figured this happened over time, and the hood was not fixable. The deal is, the new hood does the same damn thing! Also, the new hood's front edge contour, does not match the fenders, making the anodized trim stick out about an 1/8" more than the fender brow trim. This is very disappointing for a $375 hood, which is otherwise a perfect replica of the original, except for sheet metal thickness.

If anyone else can verify these issues, and has any solutions, please help.

I put new SS springs on the old hinges, but I noticed the hinges themselves are rather sloppy, should I get new hinges?

I have a digital photo of the front edge problem, I can email it to anyone who wants to help.

Thanks!

That is a common problem with the repo hood. I looked till I found a good used hood to replace mine. I have heard many people complain of the trim problem. I have not heard of an easy fix either. Maybe someone else out there will have one. Your old hinges sound like they are just worn out. Can you wiggle them side to side with play?If so I would say they need replacing. You may want to sell the repop hood and use your original.

Good luck,
Gutz

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1966 SS Chevelle LS-7
1971 RS Camaro 402

Maybe you fenders need to be realigned. Maybe just loosen the fender bolts and see what happens. You might try just moven some stuff around until everythink is aligned again.

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SS 327 65 malibu
SF CA
1965 SS
There is Nothing like An SS Made your way
65 SS Chevelle (http://members.nbci.com/ss454maliy/)

I've got the fenders aligned with the doors & wiper cowl, where they need to be, neither hood (old or new) will cooperate, they both have the same bowing problem, in the same spot. That's why I'm thinking the hinges could be the problem, but I don't want to spend $108.00 for nothing. I'm hoping someone will come along and tell me they had the same problem, and new hinges solved it!

I noticed my original SS hood is the same way. I have it even at the front and the rear but the middle does bow up where it runs along the fender. I have NOS fenders on so I know they aren't the problem. There is no way to adjust the fenders to help this problem. It's like the tops of the fenders are made flat and the side of the hood is bowed.

Not sure why it's like this as I thought it was just my hood. Mine still needs body/paint so I haven't really given it alot of thought yet. I hope we can get some help or ideas on this one.

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Bob (Pa.)

1963 Impala 283
1966 Chevelle SS 409
1969 Malibu 307
1972 Malibu 307
1969 Chevy stepside 350

Check out my website:
Bobs 409 Chevy Page (http://members.spree.com/entertainment/mr409/bob_s_409_chevy_page_index.html)

Looking for Chevelle or Impala parts? Click here:
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Hood bowing on 66 SS hoods was a common problem. GM made a revision to help correct this in later 66.( strengthened the underside pannel) My 66 is bowed bad also!
I am sorry to hear your re-pop is same way.

How about goodmark what did that say ?


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Wayne
ACES 1556
TCG 186
So many Mustangs
So Little Time

These cars came from the factory "NOT PERFECT" getting that front hood chrome to all line up will drive you crazy, and you will probably never do it...and if you do get it all to line up, you will most likely loose your "Lines" elsewhere... it's a give and take proposition...

The bowing is also, fairly normal with the front and rear meeting nicely but that side view showing a slight ( 1/4") bow... if it's only a 1/4"....I have seen and shown with some of the nicest 66's in the country and can tell you, you are not alone! You just don't see it b/c most cars have the hoods UP at a show. and in photos from magazines, you will almost never see this small Bow. Not saying you shouldn't be unhappy, but I doubt it's your Repro. hood. get your line going across the back of the hood where it meets your cowl panel to line up and don't worry too much about where those three front pieces of chrome meet....you can waste alot of time and $$ trying to do so....unless you are doing a Full Blown Bone Stock SHOW CAR?? Do get the hinges though, 30 + yr. old hinges take a beating and it will be well spent money. I believe you can still get these from the dealer, if not YEAR ONE has the GM ones.

Good luck
Mike

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MY 66 SS.COM (http://hometown.aol.com/mysterychevelle/66CHEVELLESS.html)
ACES # 1493
TEAM # 751
All Chevelles Video available, e-mail me!

If you buy new hinges the GM parts are cheaper online than from the catalog stores.Both hinges delivered incl shipping is$86.
3910667 LH
3910668 RH
3848272 66-67 SS hood spring http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/

Rene
66_Malibu

[This message has been edited by shooter (edited 06-27-2001).]

I know I can get the trim to line up with my original hood, but I still get the bow.

I checked my bottom hood edge with a 2ft metal straight edge and at the back there is a 1/8 in built in bow. This bow increases to 1/4 in toward the front.This contour matches the contour of the fenders exactly for a flush fit.

Rene
66_Malibu

So Shooter, your hood does not have this problem? It's original?

Are those part numbers stamped on the hinges somewhere? I want to verify the numbers.

I checked the springs movement. They of course move side to side quite a bit, but I suspect they are persuaded by the weight of the hood in that direction. I can also wiggle the hood up & down quite a bit when the springs are fully collapsed & the hood is open. I can definitely see some play in the staked rivet joints. I'm just wondering if new hinges will help me solve my problem at all. The back of the hood has to be pushed down after I close it. It will not go down all the way on it's own, but will stay there after I push on it.