1955 Hoods???
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1955 Hoods???
I just purchased a 1955 F100. It's in great condition, but the hood has some rust that may not be savageable. Can anyone recommend any good companies, websites, etc. where I can buy either a used or new reproduction hood???
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
CEO -
I did some research on this myself a while back when I disovered that my 56 hood was lunched. I found no one making repro steel hoods. Used ones were also not available.
There are some fiberglass hoods available from suppliers like Fairlane and BeBop, although they present serious fitup problems because they have to be made thicker than the steel ones and the thicker flanges need clearance in the mating structure at the cowl. They also don't seem to fit contour well and need internal bracing added.
How bad is your hood? It may be salvageable. See my gallery (Hood Patch Panels). I have photos of some of what I had to do. I had to rebuild the entire front edge and reveal of my hood and I also had to remake the aft return flange at the cowl.
I did some research on this myself a while back when I disovered that my 56 hood was lunched. I found no one making repro steel hoods. Used ones were also not available.
There are some fiberglass hoods available from suppliers like Fairlane and BeBop, although they present serious fitup problems because they have to be made thicker than the steel ones and the thicker flanges need clearance in the mating structure at the cowl. They also don't seem to fit contour well and need internal bracing added.
How bad is your hood? It may be salvageable. See my gallery (Hood Patch Panels). I have photos of some of what I had to do. I had to rebuild the entire front edge and reveal of my hood and I also had to remake the aft return flange at the cowl.
Last edited by Randy Jack; Jan 9, 2005 at 04:28 PM.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
CEO -
The front of my hood didn't "look that bad" either, under the paint. There were a few telltale bubbles under the paint along that edge that got me to wondering. I pushed on a bubble area and it fell off. That's when I decided to sandblast it and see what was really going on. The gallery photos start with the results after sandblast.
The PO (Previous Owner) just did what you are talking about. He bondoed it and painted. That job lasted a few (4) years. Then the bubbles started to appear. The problem is that once rust starts, unless it can be removed or converted entirely, it doesn't stop. Covering it with the bondo just postpones the job and makes it a bigger one to do later.
If you decide to repair it, I would be glad to give you any specific help that I can.
The front of my hood didn't "look that bad" either, under the paint. There were a few telltale bubbles under the paint along that edge that got me to wondering. I pushed on a bubble area and it fell off. That's when I decided to sandblast it and see what was really going on. The gallery photos start with the results after sandblast.
The PO (Previous Owner) just did what you are talking about. He bondoed it and painted. That job lasted a few (4) years. Then the bubbles started to appear. The problem is that once rust starts, unless it can be removed or converted entirely, it doesn't stop. Covering it with the bondo just postpones the job and makes it a bigger one to do later.
If you decide to repair it, I would be glad to give you any specific help that I can.
