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Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:32 pm

My 54 Oval has had its hood shut with the stay in place ( a common thing for people who don't realise how they work). It hasn't creased, but the hood doesn't sit flush with the seal on the side with the stay, the other side is fine.

Can the hood be manipulated/beaten at all to get it back into shape?

Thanks

Steve

Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:02 am

Yes--as you noted, this is common.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:07 am

Just wondering if it can it be repaired, or should I be looking for a new hood?

Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:22 am

matara wrote: Just wondering if it can it be repaired, or should I be looking for a new hood?

If you're already thinking about replaceing the hood, why not try to unbend it by hand, just lock it in the open position and go on the damaged side push up on it, this might do the trick. Worse case scenario, you buy a new one.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:24 am

Depends on how bad it's distorted. I've had a few that could be 'tweaked' back into position. As long as it isn't creased, there's hope. All you can do is try. Make sure the rubber is still good.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:30 pm

It can be repaired by any good bodyman... just dont let an amateur weld a piece of re-bar or something there. More than likely the metal is split under the lip.. will require welding to re-strengthen that area...... this is commonly referred to as "tacoing" the hood. My '55 had it done to it before I bought it... and some bozo welded the aforementioned rebar in there.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 4:39 pm

I'm about to fix this issue on a hood for my '59. I have a donor 3-tab hood that I was going to cut the offending section from and weld it in. Is there anything that might be good to weld in there to add a little strength to a known design flaw?

Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:33 pm

spectre6000 wrote: I'm about to fix this issue on a hood for my '59. I have a donor 3-tab hood that I was going to cut the offending section from and weld it in. Is there anything that might be good to weld in there to add a little strength to a known design flaw?

It's not a design flaw. It's operator error.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 7:45 pm

Does it not sag over time even if not "taco"d?

Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:29 pm

spectre6000 wrote: Does it not sag over time even if not "taco"d?
Depends on how long you leave the front hood up.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 10:04 pm

Here i was going to find a replacement hood too, but if this is a common problem.( the drivers side gap in the hoop that is)..i am thinking twice now...i also have the engine hood that is hitting the bumper to get open...maybe i have missing washers in there...any ideas? Too snug for my liking ...projects projects projects projects

Fri Mar 12, 2010 12:19 am

spectre6000 wrote: Does it not sag over time even if not "taco"d?

No. I still have the original hood on my '47, never suffered from the dreaded "hood prop kink" and it's still as firm as it was 52 years ago.

Fri Mar 12, 2010 12:21 am

SJ_BIKER wrote: i also have the engine hood that is hitting the bumper to get open...maybe i have missing washers in there...any ideas?

Do you have the bumper bracket spacers installed?

Fri Mar 12, 2010 4:06 pm

Where does the bumper bracket spacer go. I saw one for sale the other day and wondered where it went?

Fri Mar 12, 2010 5:55 pm

getgeoff wrote: Where does the bumper bracket spacer go. I saw one for sale the other day and wondered where it went?

You need 8 per car (4/front, 4 rear) They fit between the ends of the bumper brackets & the bumper blade. The center hole in each spacer is where the Chrome carriage bolt goes through when assembling.