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Hard to tell from pics but the core support appears bent on driver side looking at passenger side of drivers headlight. Almost like somebody has bent the center or center top of the support inward.
Some pics showing the fender and rear hood gaps when close to closed would be nice to confirm all is well there. Also a pic of the entire front of the core support maybe with some side angles would help.
The supports should be interchangeable with the exception of different radiator cut out sizes and mounts, 73-77 headlights versus 78-79 and air conditioning.
These are the best pics I have but look how it appears that my core support is not flat in the sense that the top center section appears to be more forward than the rest
Hard to tell from pics but the core support appears bent on driver side looking at passenger side of drivers headlight. Almost like somebody has bent the center or center top of the support inward.
Some pics showing the fender and rear hood gaps when close to closed would be nice to confirm all is well there. Also a pic of the entire front of the core support maybe with some side angles would help.
The supports should be interchangeable with the exception of different radiator cut out sizes and mounts, 73-77 headlights versus 78-79 and air conditioning.
These are the best pics I have but look how it appears that my core support is not flat in the sense that the top center section appears to be more forward than the rest
If you can tell from pics, my top center is curved compared to top outside. It just looks like my whole support is leaning too far back, but now sure what would cause that. I have been notice that the rear of my hood pops up when I close it now. 8 pics attached
Hmm, got me stumped. Only other clue is the radiator hose looks pushed back by the core support but that could be normal with a new hose. You have doors on right? If not, they go on first then align the fenders then the hood.
I tried finding old pictures of my core support and hood latch bracket and could only find this one. My hood latch bracket that goes to the core support seems to place the latch further out from the core support than yours. I'll try and take a closer look and get a measurement for you tonight.
So I did what I was trying to avoid doing all along, I drained my radiator and took it and the core support back off. I threw my old one in and bam perfect, everything closed like new. Took it off and took some pictures side by side. Couldn't really tell much of a difference other than confirming the drivers side bottom wing (for lack of Better word) does seem to be bent a little. But that shouldn't affect anything up top. Did some measuring and from the front top center to outside edge the curve is 1.5" on my old one that fits. My new (used) one is only .75".
So have we found another problem with interchangeability of core supports or do I chalk this up to crappy tolerances of the 70s and realign everything to fit this newer support?
Or lastly but not least favorably... do I post a WTB thread here and search my local Craigslist? Keep in mind Indiana isn't known for rust free vehicles
Overhead pic sure seems to show the difference. I never looked that close as my trucks were concocted from many trucks or are original. Pretty darn sure I pulled the one in my 73 out of a later truck so I have my fingers crossed for you.
I think once you pull the fenders forward you'll know right away wether it's gonna work or not. Question is, will it be enough.
So on my 78 rectangle headlight F250 I measured from the cowl to the front of the core support (circled in red) and it measures 39 inches. Since the hood is the same on all that measurement should stay relatively the same.... (I borrowed 9thPony's pic; thanks)
OldStyle.....I got 37 7/8 from that ledge/seam below top of cowl and inside of core support on my 73 and 38"ish on my 79 which is original so that's pretty close.
Also grinnergetter suggested hanging the grill to see what hit. I hung it just by the two bolts that go on either side of the hood latch and as suspected, the hood hits the grill and doesn't close behind it
Thinking that if neither the latch or hood fits right you're faced with having the wrong core support to replace your original one. The entire support would have to move forward for both issues to be corrected. That doesn't seem possible. Maybe the "kit" maker has the correct one for your application or restore your original now that it is disassembled...
