51 ford F3 hood springs. 4 of them. Do they only functuon to hold it up? Or do they also pull the back down and hold it there?. I have been reading 10,000 archive threads on this, but now I am confused. Yes, the answer to your question is I have spent weeks off and and fiting this hood. It is Sooooo close. Maybe good enough but I would like it to pull a little better on one side. Thanks guys.

 

I think they are supposed to pull it down, but they really don't do a lot.

 

Does anyone have a good step by step on what to check and what to replace to get the hood to sit flush? I too have read all of the threads but I have a corner that wants to ride up no matter what we do. Mr Selzam told me some folks have a jig to use on the three hinge studs in the cab to adjust the position. Anyone heard of that?

 

What I found out is the latch in the front plays a part in how the hood sits in the back too. But it is a real sum b#/^!h to get get just right. I ended up hogging out the holes on one side to get more adjustment. That was because of the slop in the side hinge. I re-peened the hinge pivots, that helped some too. Keep in mind, if you make the adjustment holes too big you will need bigger washer too. But then on 2 of them holes you might have to grind part of the washer because of a brace or roll in the support. As it stands now it is about as close as I can get it without investing a fortune for a "maybe" outcome. I will say this. It is kind of cool the way it opens at first. The front and the back raise at the same time before the front starts flipping up like you would think a more modern hood opens. I know this now, those springs act more for opening than for closing. Just take a side hinge off and see what they do. However, the tension on them when it closes may pull the back a little snugger. I will order some new springs some day but I want to see how this works when I get it on the road first. Good luck, it has been an ordeal I hope I don't have to repeat.

 

Never heard of a jig, can't imagine how that would work. I just loosen the three nuts, push the hood down at the back, then tighten. As good as it gets.

I think many hoods (including mine) are just not shaped the same as the cowl, and are down tight in the middle, with the sides riding high. They undoubtedly get tweaked over time.

 

Sorry to repeat this again for those of you who regularly read new posts. Don't forget that the cab body mounts play a big part in the way that a hood fits. The hood is so long and very dependent upon a square mounting to the frame as the front end attaches to the radiator mount which attaches to the frame. The hood also needs to be square to the cowl. In addition to the mounts being worn you should also check the front cab mounting holes to see if they are wallowed out as mine were.

Failure to correct any issues with the mounts will result in the hood fitting somewhat OK after you adjust it but then closing efforts and fit go to "poop" every time you drive it or even just jack it up to change a tire.

 

thanks, if mine starts to move after driving I will check out those mounts. I did have a cracked front mount that I welded up. however I am sure the rubber things could use a change out.

 

Any thoughts on the best way to replace the springs? I have a set of 4 to swap in but have not gotten brave enough to try it yet.

JB

 

Install: Put spring end in vice. Bend. Insert thick washers into gaps. Bend other way. Insert washers into gaps. End result is a longer overall length that should drop onto place. Operate hood, washers will drop out. Stand back drink a beer.