55 hood alignment
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 673
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From: San Diego
55 hood alignment
Hello friends,
I am having a heck of a time getting my hood aligned correctly. I have done the obvious, loosening hinge bolts, then tightening. But it seems when I have it right, the hood is almost impossible to close. I loosen the bolts to make it easier to close, and she sits unaligned. Is there a way to do this right? I also believe I have 56 hinges but am not sure. The hood is a 56, and I read that the 56 hinges will not fit properly on a 55, is this true? you can see in my gallery the way the hood is aligned.
I am having a heck of a time getting my hood aligned correctly. I have done the obvious, loosening hinge bolts, then tightening. But it seems when I have it right, the hood is almost impossible to close. I loosen the bolts to make it easier to close, and she sits unaligned. Is there a way to do this right? I also believe I have 56 hinges but am not sure. The hood is a 56, and I read that the 56 hinges will not fit properly on a 55, is this true? you can see in my gallery the way the hood is aligned.
New User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2
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55 hood alignment
im just getting to that point today, i started by just snuging radiator support then inner fenders and air diflectors outer fenders (a lot of patching) hood rods will eather push down or pull up the corner. ive learned from trail and error get the cowl to hood gap accurate first around 1/4 " then adjust fender and hooh rods. im still twiaking, almost there! my worst problem is the difference in gravelpan height over front of frame, anyone have idea 1" on left and1/2 on other, keep plugin along!it will get there
Senior User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 102
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From: Show Low AZ
55 hood alignment
I am having the exact same problem. I do not have the original style tranny crossmember, and I think that is the root cause of the problem. The old crossmember countered the twist in the frame caused by the front cab mounts pushing down on the "wings". The front of my cab is sitting too low on the frame, causing the hood to fit tight in the center of the cowl but loose and not square where the front fenders meet the cowl. Also the front edge of the hood sticks out about 3/8" past the front fenders.I've got another truck for parts, but I'm not sure the stock xmember will clear the tranny. ( I've got a 302/c6 ). Industrial Chassis in Phoenix makes an aftermarket xmember that will clear an auto tranny and fits in the stock location, but I do not know the cost. Anybody else got an idea, I'm listening too. Thanks, Randy. 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 1
From: Rural Florida Panhandle
55 hood alignment
My 54 has a little of that same problem.
Have you adjusted the hood support rods according to specs? They will make a big difference.
I believe some of my alignment difficulty is in the mounting of the fenders. I had a tough time getting some of the last holes to line up. All this is probably due to years of stress on the frame and body parts.
Winford
Have you adjusted the hood support rods according to specs? They will make a big difference.
I believe some of my alignment difficulty is in the mounting of the fenders. I had a tough time getting some of the last holes to line up. All this is probably due to years of stress on the frame and body parts.
Winford
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 673
Likes: 1
From: San Diego
55 hood alignment
Strange that you would bring up the tranny crossmember thing. I too have an aftermarket tranny crossmember. Jeez, I just want my hood to fit right. I diddnt know that all of this stuff would effect the way my hood sits on my fenders. I have learned something today, Thank you! 
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