The hood seems too warped?

torbsim · Nov 4, 2024

When I realigned the canopy on the Mach 1 (which was a terrible job), I noticed that the canopy was very warped. As far as I know, it is not a reproduction and is the original 73 hood. Is this the reason why it bulges so much? It doesn't bother me too much, but if there is a way to “fix” it, I would, of course, do it. The gap is already very high, see pictures

rvrtrash · Nov 4, 2024

That's pretty common. The hood is so long, and relatively thin, if your hood hinges are worn or stiff it will bow the hood in the middle from repeated closing. First step is to lube your hinge points or replace the hinges. Next, take it to a body shop. They should be able to flex it back into shape. I've heard some have been able to take the hood off the car, support it at the front and back, and press down at the high point of the curve, but you might wind up with it being wavy if not careful. Hopefully others that have done it will chime in.

giantpune · Nov 4, 2024

Can confirm. My hood fit good. Then one day I tried to close the hood, with the hinges very stiff. I deformed the hood, and would have folded it in half if I hadn't stopped trying to close it.

I'm not sure what the correct method for lubricating the hinges is. I open the hood about half way, then spray silicon around both sides on all the pivot points on both hinges. And then work the hood up and down a couple times. That seems to do the trick. No more hood trying to fold in half.

And to take some of the bend out, I just left the hood installed, and opened it "extra far". Pushing up on it the opposite direction I was pushing on it that bowed it in the first place.

tony-muscle · Nov 4, 2024

It is not uncommon and if you have a fiberglass hood the warp is much worst even with very soft springs.

Bentworker · Nov 4, 2024

Normal aftermarket hood. They have too much crown. Can be flattened but it is best done before paint, not after.

MikeGriese · Nov 4, 2024

Bentworker said:
Normal aftermarket hood. They have too much crown. Can be flattened but it is best done before paint, not after.

It's not limited to reproduction hoods. Original hoods bow too.

Usually they can be coaxed back into shape. In extreme cases, you will have to cut the welds to the inner structure, straighten everything, and then reweld. That's more labor than it's worth unless you have a car with documented all original sheet metal.

c9zx · Nov 4, 2024

It sounds nuts but, double layer of soft towels, a piece of 2" x 4", and a carefully used dead blow hammer. Minor adjustments can be made with shims under the fender at the bolt holes. It worked for me with no damage to the paint. Chuck

turtle5353 · Nov 4, 2024

I pulled it off the car and laid it down on 2x4 and kept flattening it down till I got the curve I wanted.
Aftermarket ones are not welded around the pinch seam underneath. After I got the arch I wanted, I tacked welded the perimeter.

Aus73Mach1 · Nov 4, 2024

One thing to remember and some body shops and mechanics don't seen to know about it. The hood hinges lock in place when fully up and the hood has to be pushed backwards before pulling downward to close. Heard a story where a judge at a car show pulled straight down to close a hood and bent the hinges and the hood. If you ever put your car in for a service, leave some instructions on how the hood must be closed.

Paul M · Nov 5, 2024

torbsim said:
When I realigned the canopy on the Mach 1 (which was a terrible job), I noticed that the canopy was very warped. As far as I know, it is not a reproduction and is the original 73 hood. Is this the reason why it bulges so much? It doesn't bother me too much, but if there is a way to “fix” it, I would, of course, do it. The gap is already very high, see pictures

Aside from Turtle 5353's method of taking it off and putting weight on it. I used the same method with the 2x 4's only I placed a couple of cinder blocks on it for a few days. The rest was taken out by shimming where the fender meets the body / inner fender well. Simply place a couple of shims under the fender in the middle, leaving less on the front and rear. You may be able to go up a lil in the front which will assist.

basstrix · Nov 5, 2024

turtle5353 said:
View attachment 94876I pulled it off the car and laid it down on 2x4 and kept flattening it down till I got the curve I wanted.
Aftermarket ones are not welded around the pinch seam underneath. After I got the arch I wanted, I tacked welded the perimeter.

I have an aftermarket I need to install and have been dreading this step. Are there any welds that need to be cut to ease the straightening/recurving process? I vaguely recall Dave from North Carolina saying something about this. Would like to see the tacks you added along each edge.

The Heff · Nov 5, 2024

I have this problem now with my hood, after respraying and installing. My hinges are a bit tight , probably when I painted them, and now has caused some resistance. Makes sense that these hoods bow because of their sheer length. I am going to opt for shimming the fenders a bit. There's alot of great ideas coming from you guys, nice one.

turtle5353 · Nov 5, 2024

The aftermarket hoods are not tack welded, just crimped around edges. Unfortunately I do not have any pics of it. I did tack weld when done, then ground most of it flush, then seam sealed the entire perimeter.

Bill Kanode · Nov 5, 2024

rvrtrash said:
That's pretty common. The hood is so long, and relatively thin, if your hood hinges are worn or stiff it will bow the hood in the middle from repeated closing. First step is to lube your hinge points or replace the hinges. Next, take it to a body shop. They should be able to flex it back into shape. I've heard some have been able to take the hood off the car, support it at the front and back, and press down at the high point of the curve, but you might wind up with it being wavy if not careful. Hopefully others that have done it will chime in.

I am not sure if this an acceptable approach but I removed the hinges to use 2 heavy hammers to tighten the swivel parts of both hinges instead of buying aftermarket. I haven't had the best luck with foriegn made parts but I did buy 2 new springs as the hood was closing easier on one side as a spring was replaced by a PO. The new springs on the tightened hinged really worked. Thx, Bill

70cobrascj · Nov 6, 2024

turtle5353 said:
The aftermarket hoods are not tack welded, just crimped around edges. Unfortunately I do not have any pics of it. I did tack weld when done, then ground most of it flush, then seam sealed the entire perimeter. View attachment 94914 View attachment 94915 View attachment 94916 View attachment 94917

Did you use an original front trim piece?
Would like everyone’s input on the fit of the aftermarket one.
I have heard they are not very good.
Thanks

turtle5353 · Nov 6, 2024

Yes used original hood trim.

70cobrascj · Nov 6, 2024

turtle5353 said:
Yes used original hood trim.

One more thing did you use single stage?
It looks great!

turtle5353 · Nov 6, 2024

No I used PPG paint base / clear. The black was single stage SEM hot rod black.

The hood seems too warped?

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