The hood gap that is....

So how do your hoods fit the grille at the leading edge? Tight, or is there a substantial gap? Or should I call it a "leaf catcher" instead?
Mine has pretty good body panel fit elsewhere, but the gap at the front edge is a little over half an inch and it collects all sorts of debris when it sits. Nasty little ginkgo leaves in fact, which is what lead to this discussion starting this time of year.

I got tired of picking them out, and lifting the hood to find crap all over the place, so I set a strip of filler rod (foam stuff for gaps) in the gap and it's working fantastic. Didn't know I hated picking leaves out so much until I stopped them in their path.
Of course, it's only temporary, but wondering if anyone out there has ever had a large gap and filled it with weather stripping or anything like that?

Thanks

Paul

 

Mine is also 1/2 inch gap. Think that is the normal gap in that area. Your solution is perfect. Mine is to park in the barn where they is no debris, just dust.

 

That is not a bad idea, not sure why I never thought of that. My '76 is covered, so no worries there, my '77 gets all kinds of leaves and debris in there. Think I might look into something like what you did. Might check out what type of universal seals Steele Rubber offers that would make a good seal there.

 

That's the direction I was hoping this discussion would head. What I did was a total temporary stop-gap measure for this leaf-drop season. Something more permanent would be a good solution.
It might also get rid of something I don't think we've ever talked about, which is the potential for cooling air to escape through the gap at higher speeds instead of going through the radiator. Or by that same token, hot air coming from the radiator coming out the top and then being "re-purposed" and going back through the fins, already pre-heated.

It's a major issue on the Early Broncos, to the point that we make an air dam that blocks the gap between the grill and the core support. Seals along the side and top edges of the radiator where it stands off of the core support help too.
The air movement through those is a nightmare of turbulence and uncontrolled mayhem. Probably not so bad on our trucks, but we've certainly had our discussions about "running hot" with them too!

Anyway, for me it's all about the leaves and junk. I think a simple thick stick-on from the local home center would get the job done too if it was the right size and profile. I like the idea of Steele too, since if it turns out well they would add it to their lineup quicker than most companies.
I'm trying to re-design the door weatherstripping for the Bronco for them to work with too, but it's more finicky.

Paul

 

Search for Z weatherstripping. Just need to get the right size, or get it big and trim it. It's also good around door edges.

 

That could work in a couple of applications on my trucks I bet. Been trying to think of a good shape to seal off the "outer" section of the Bronco doors. The stock weatherstripping goes against the inside of the door-to-body seam. Leaving the rest open to weather and noise.
Mostly trying to quiet it down believe it or not. Even with that tin-can echo chamber on wheels, every little bit helps.

Paul