I purchased the top front edge and the under section hood panels for my 55 from Mid Fifty at the Supernationals this past week. It looks like it is going to be a major task to replace these panels on my hood, has anyone used these panels? I really don't know where to start and was wondereing if some one can give me the step by step process on it. I was hoping to purchase a used hood at the show, but the seven that I looked at was as bad as mine or worse. I appreciate any help that you can give.

 

I haven't used the MidFifty patch panels, but I did redo that area of my hood. Unfortunately, I did that job before finding this forum and I didn't know that the patch panels existed.

In my gallery album "Hood Patch Panels", I did do a step-by-step of the process. Maybe it will give you some ideas. Your job should be easier with the panels. The most critical part is sizing the cutout for the panel and fairing the patch placement into the adjacent contour of the fenders. That is easiest if done on the truck, unless (like me) you are able to retain the edge corners of the hood to fair the patch into.

Good Luck.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...&albumid=13066

 

CW,

I bought the same two pieces this weekend as well. Matter of fact I am on my way to my buddies to pay him for the hood I bought from and to see how much he is going to charge me to install the two pieces. I will definitely keep you posted. I have two hoods other than the one on my truck. I want to pie cut mine to get that front peak out of it.

Donald

 

Randy, you did a very nice job on your hood. I think as you mentioned in your post that mine may be a little easier because of the ready made panels. Which would you advise replacing first, the underneath panel or the top outside panel? I know that one or the other needs to stay intact while repacing the first panel and then replace the other panel. By doing one panel at at time will help keep the hood from getting to bad out of shape.

 

cw -

I have never seen the patch panels. But, I assume from your question that there are two pieces: one for the top/front and one for the underneath (reveal). I replaced the upper surface first. Then I replaced /repositioned the reveal. It just seemed a logical progression to me and it worked out fine.

I figured that I had to leave one of the two surfaces in tact while replacing the other just so that the welding wouldn't deform the hood.

Just be very careful about how much heat you put into that hood shape. Take your time. Use tack welds only (no running beads). Jump around the patch to keep the heat spread out. I use compressed air to cool the patch to the touch after just a few tacks. Keep tacking until the seam is full. Works really well. Takes a lot of time. You'll do fine.

BTW, fitment of the patch is very important. I like to leave a gap of .030-.045 between the patch and the parent material and do a butt weld. I use weld magnets to hold it so I can check the gap with a feeler, make sure it is flushed out well, and hold it while I do the first few tacks. I put the MIG wire into the gap and then strike the arc. The weld grabs both pieces evenly and has 100% pentration.

Also, get some flapper disks for your angle grinder. They are indispensible for grinding that weld seam down and flushing it to the adjacent metal. I like to use 60 or 80 grit for just about everything. Harbor Freight carries some cheap ones. Better ones are available at Sears. The Sears ones have a bevel shape to their face.

Good luck!

 

I looked in Mid Fifty for hood panels. Could not find them. Are we talking about the hood over the engine?

 

This a ten year old thread....

But did you look in the catalog or online? I just looked at them today in the catalog as I will need a the hood lip soon myself for my 55. I wanted to see how much they cost.

 

Old thread but I sure do miss Randy Jack. He was one of the great ones

 

I see you left randy a message, he wont be answering you as he passed away a few years ago

 

Are you looking for this?

1953-56 Ford F-100 Hood, Leading Edge Front Top