52 Ford Hood issues!!
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Corbin, Ky
52 Ford Hood issues!!
Hello,
I've stripped the hood of my 52 ford down to the bare metal to check out what I suspected to be true, the tip of the hood was full of bondo. When I say full, I mean a lot more than 1/4 of an inch. I stripped all of the bondo out only to see that the hood was literally held together by bondo at the tip of the hood. The tip was split, where the ridge line runs down the middle of the hood.
So, how would one go about repairing this? I've thought about soldering it together, or cutting the whole piece out completely and replacing it, but I don't know if I could come up with the exact fitting piece given that the hood is split in the tip of the ridge that runs through the middle of the hood.
Please help, I'm a fairly new newbie, and I need some help!!
Thanks guys!
Jon Preston
I've stripped the hood of my 52 ford down to the bare metal to check out what I suspected to be true, the tip of the hood was full of bondo. When I say full, I mean a lot more than 1/4 of an inch. I stripped all of the bondo out only to see that the hood was literally held together by bondo at the tip of the hood. The tip was split, where the ridge line runs down the middle of the hood.
So, how would one go about repairing this? I've thought about soldering it together, or cutting the whole piece out completely and replacing it, but I don't know if I could come up with the exact fitting piece given that the hood is split in the tip of the ridge that runs through the middle of the hood.
Please help, I'm a fairly new newbie, and I need some help!!
Thanks guys!
Jon Preston
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 3,122
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Soldering won't hold it together, the only way to fix it is to straighten the metal and bring it up to where it should be and then weld the crack(s). Sounds like a job for a pro if you don't have the equipment or the skills to do it. This also could be your first try at doing body work. If you can afford a small MIG wire welder that would be the way to go.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,876
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Unless you're good at making metal patches and welding thin gage sheet metal Ross has the best solution. Well, his is the best solution no matter what but if you can't find a better hood patching is the only other solution.
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Corbin, Ky
Hi guys.....
So.....I bought some mesh screen, applied it on both sides of the hood and applied bondo........now I know this probably isn't or isn't the best option at all, but I'm going to see how it holds up. I mean after all, when I buffed the bondo out of the dents that I had plans to body hammer, I found the hood was split and only held together with the "bondope" and who knows how many years it had been that way, at least 10 or more that I know of.
I'm building my old Ford with a baby on the way and a tight budget, but if the bondo cracks out, or hood falls apart, I will shell out the cash for a new hood. I know this bondo effort wasn't the best idea but it was what worked for now. Please go easy on me, I'm doing the best I can.
As always, I appreciate your information and feedback greatly!!!! Thank you!
Jon Preston
So.....I bought some mesh screen, applied it on both sides of the hood and applied bondo........now I know this probably isn't or isn't the best option at all, but I'm going to see how it holds up. I mean after all, when I buffed the bondo out of the dents that I had plans to body hammer, I found the hood was split and only held together with the "bondope" and who knows how many years it had been that way, at least 10 or more that I know of.
I'm building my old Ford with a baby on the way and a tight budget, but if the bondo cracks out, or hood falls apart, I will shell out the cash for a new hood. I know this bondo effort wasn't the best idea but it was what worked for now. Please go easy on me, I'm doing the best I can.
As always, I appreciate your information and feedback greatly!!!! Thank you!
Jon Preston
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, Virginia
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Oh Boy, I understand your situation, but I got to say that is the definition or how not to do body work. I'm not going give you a tough time, all I'm saying is, maybe there other thing you could work on your truck until you can get a new hood, because you're just making twice as much work for yourself. Not trying to be a jerk, just trying to save you a lot extra work.
Oh Boy, I understand your situation, but I got to say that is the definition or how not to do body work. I'm not going give you a tough time, all I'm saying is, maybe there other thing you could work on your truck until you can get a new hood, because you're just making twice as much work for yourself. Not trying to be a jerk, just trying to save you a lot extra work.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Corbin, Ky
ZOOT,
No worries, I'm kind of feeling like that I may need to move on to something else and come back to the hood issue later on and buy one. Thanks again,
Jon Preston
No worries, I'm kind of feeling like that I may need to move on to something else and come back to the hood issue later on and buy one. Thanks again,
Jon Preston
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,876
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
I doubt it will hold for long but if it does then it does. The hood is the one body part that takes the most abuse. It's long, it's loosely attached to the body and is constantly bounced up and down, not to mention the severe stress from being slammed down. It is exposed to the most extreme of elements, heat from under the hood and heat from above from the sun. You're asking a lot the mesh and bondo to hold it all together. I am really surprised the previous repair didn't show cracks.
I know all about tight budgets and having little ones on the way. My baby experience is from 20 years ago. I thought once they got out of high school they go off on their own and stop costing you money, I've found out differently. They don't go off on their own, mama likes to keep them near by and they still cost money. Enjoy.
I know all about tight budgets and having little ones on the way. My baby experience is from 20 years ago. I thought once they got out of high school they go off on their own and stop costing you money, I've found out differently. They don't go off on their own, mama likes to keep them near by and they still cost money. Enjoy.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Jon, post your general location in the upper right hand corner. You do it through the control panel you used to register and set up you profile. In future posts members will know where you're located and might be more inclined to help if they're nearby.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 16,876
Likes: 3,122
From: SE Wisc. (the Rust Belt)
Yeah, those darn hoods they sell cheap but are killers to ship. I sold one on eBay a few years back. It cost more to ship via Greyhood that what I sold it for. I tried to talk the buyer out of taking it because of the cost but he insisted he wanted it. I also charged him for packaging it and driving 25 miles to the Greyhound station. He must have really wanted that hood.