FLOPPY HOODS

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Apr 9, 2001 | 11:16 PM

darkman

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From: Pensacola Florida

FLOPPY HOODS

My 57 hood is not rigid. It flexes bad side to side. Is this normal? Have any of you cured this problem?

Thanks Charles

Apr 10, 2001 | 06:23 AM

cobraguy

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From: San Diego CA

FLOPPY HOODS

My 59 had latch problems wich led to hinge problems I fixed it by bolting the hood to the fenders removing the inner fender tubs and making it a tilt nose. I did it without cutting the fenders so the truck appeared stock. I made the hinge assembly work so the nose would pull up and forward, like a BMW hood, then tilt. It looked and worked cool. It also made working on the engine very comfortable. If you want details drop me a line at shelekelley(No Email Addresses In Posts!) put tilt nose in subject thanks, Rich.

Apr 10, 2001 | 08:29 PM

66ranger

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FLOPPY HOODS

If the originality is not too much of a problem, find a 1960 hood. These had ridges from Ford that were supposed to be the answer to the un-rigid models..., as least according to the literature!

Apr 10, 2001 | 11:22 PM

darkman

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From: Pensacola Florida

FLOPPY HOODS

Did those "ridges" match ridges on the cowl panel?

Charles

Apr 11, 2001 | 11:23 AM

Kenny

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From: New Egypt, New Jersey

FLOPPY HOODS

Charles, the ridges on the cowl are the same from '57-'60. When you said your hood "flexes from side to side", do you mean the whole entire hood moves, or just parts of it? Can you give more specifics? Thanks,
Kenny

Apr 11, 2001 | 01:34 PM

darkman

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From: Pensacola Florida

FLOPPY HOODS

Kenny,

Before we took the truck apart, the hood would be difficult to raise with the front corners seesawing back and forth. I don't think the hinges were at fault but they may be part of the problem. The hinges were clean and lubed. They looked to be in good condition. I have some bad rust holes in the reinforcing brace that the hinges bolt to. There are actual holes in this reinforcement and that may be the problem. It may be a
combination of things.
I may be expecting too much. I have only worked on Mustangs
prior to this. Should you be able to raise the hood by simply unlatching the hood and lifting in the center without a lot of effort. Should it raise equally on both sides? Am I expecting to much?

Thanks Charles

Apr 12, 2001 | 10:26 AM

Kenny

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From: New Egypt, New Jersey

FLOPPY HOODS

If your hood is twisting from trying to lift from one corner, I think that is normal. My hood must be lifted from the center also. I don't know if this was the case when it was new, but I believe that it would have been. As you know, these hoods are very heavy.
If it is flexing side to side when closed, It could be a number of things: worn hinges, loose bolts, worn latch, or broken spot welds.
Kenny