The po put these fake hood scoops on, with about 32 screws each. One of them is cracked, and I'm concerned that it's going to cause my hood to rust. I'm also not sure what to do with all the holes if I take them off, and am afraid it will start to rust without them. What do you think?

 

I would take them off and weld up the holes.

 

I would expect to find rust around the holes as it is if they have been on there for very long. Unless the scoops are completely sealed to prevent moisture from getting under them it can get trapped and cause major rust issues starting at the holes. Might want to start looking for a new hood.

 

i would pull the scoops off, and if you really like the look, i would look into repairing them and adhering them on to the hood, instead of big screws, also you can repair the scoop by sanding it all down, than possibly using body filler or a small fiberglass kit, you can repair the crack and the drill holes, than repaint as you like, possibly find some nice stainless steel or chrome Perforated metal, cut to fit the inserts (so it looks better) than simply adhere the scoops on with 3M two sided tape,

also take note of the location of the scoops, are they even positioned evenly on the hood now??? (mind you can move them around for different looks instead of what the PO did) you will want to take some measurements before reapplying the scoops, also if you can i would weld up the holes, or you can use body filler....... but please weld ahead of filler! also make sure you paint up underneath the hood once done, as the weld will need to be protected on the other side as well,

also when you remove the scoops you can clean up the area with a grinder (go lightly! don't want to dent the hood) and sand paper, then do the same on the inside as well, then simply repaint the area on the hood where the scoops are going, not sure what you plan on? rattle can paint job? (you can actually do a good job if you search it online for methods, its mostly in preparing the body for a nice looking paint job, you can get good looking paint out of the can, along with clear coat in the can, just won't last as long)

then before you reapply the scoops you can apply some grease to the area that will be covered up (note do not apply grease on the surface where the two sided tape goes!!!!) thus if there is any moisture in there, or some leaks happen as the tape ages down the road, the metal hood part will have a protected surface, (kinda like a oil guard)

hope that helped,

-Brent

 

Thanks for the help. I don't plan on putting them back on. I actually do like the look, but it's kinda retarded since they aren't actually functional at all. I suppose I could fix them, then put some kind of screen over the intake parts, and at least make it look like maybe they are functional.

 

no problemo! its always great to help someone out on here, as i am only 20 years old, i wasn't around back when these trucks where in there prime in my area (and even still i was way to young in the early 90s even!), thus i have learned a lot from other members on here, thus what ever i know and learn, i share on here when ever i can, as do many many many other great members on here,

also many of the Shelby side scoops where not functional after only a few years of Shelby Mustang production, in the early days of Shelby Mustangs they where fully functional, as even the side scoops cooled the rear brakes, but budget cuts caused the side scoops to become nothing more than decoration after a few years, can't remember the year off hand, also Mustangs came with non-functional hood scoops as did the Torinos and Cyclones and Cougars, (excluding the Cobra Jet shaker hoods)

i would try and fix them, also you can find the screen material your looking for at one of your good local automotive performance shops, look for stuff called perforated metal (screen), there are many different types, you can even Google it to find more of it, i think they sell it in sheets,

-Brent

 

Wow, somebody had a big helping of stupid when they screwed those things on!!! These hood scoops are supposed to be put on with double sided sticky tape, nothing more. Heres a pic of my 95 with the same things, and as you can see, theres nothing visible holding them on:

 

Have you ever welded holes on a large flat piece of sheetmetal? One has to have very good welding skills to do this, otherwise the sheetmetal will warp.

 

What bill said.
I would just get another hood

 

I'm not a fan of fake hood scoops at all especially those fake Lund stick-on ones. Lots of people in my area have those Lund scoops stuck on there newer cars and trucks and they look mucho fake and horrible.

If your not good at welding and bodywook best to find another hood that hasn't been hacked. If your good with a welder and body work, tack weld the holes shut (back up with copper or brass) do the body work and repaint.

 

Totally agree.

 

I know a guy that is supposedly a good welder, I guess if i'm looking at a new hood anyway might as well try it.

What do you mean by backing it up with copper or brass?

 

I think he meant to close the holes up "again".

 

take them off! poser parts suck

 

Hold a piece of brass or copper behind the hole when you're welding to give a temporary backing to the weld. The steel welding rod won't stick to the brass or copper and you will get a cleaner, neater weld with less heat absorbtion by the surrounding sheet metal. It makes it easier.