Hood Alignment (2 Viewers)

[mjr9902]

So...Got the cruiser back together this weekend after paint and I am having trouble aligning the hood...here is the issue_ The tub has not been removed so i dont think is needs to be adjusted- the hood is from a 71 and put on a 72 (this due to the old hood being unrepairable) iIdid get new fenders from Cruiser corps though....any thoughts...is there any difference in size between the 2 years...I am fairly convinced there isn't....any thoughts or recommendations would help trememdously!!....pics to come soon

 

[cjgoode]

There is no difference, I have a early 1960's hood sitting on my 1980 project, and it lines up perfect. Pictures would help a lot, where is it not lining up. It is most likely fenders, fender skirts etc. The hood can move a little, as well as the rest of the pieces. Kind of a game to get them all matched up, nothing should be real tight till everything is looking good.

 

[45Kevin]

I don't know if there are any differences in the fit of front end body parts over the years: but I do know that the hinge connection at the cowl has some adjustment in it. The screws go into a movable plate through larger diameter holes to allow some movement in the hinge position and angle.

The bib determines where the fenders end up and I don't think the bib hinge has any adjustment. If your frame horns are tweaked, it would cause miss-alignment. There is however, some play in the connections between the bib,the aprons and the fenders.

I just put my front end together and left all the bolts loose and pushed the assembly around until it got to a place that lined up nicely with the hood.

Pics would help, got any?

 

[Splangy]

Loosen up your fenders, aprons, bib, and hood. They all need to be lined up together.

 

[thecrazygreek]

I had to add some small spacers (rubber washers) on the outsides of the bib where they tied into the fenders and aprons. This widened the bib spacing to allow the hood to be equal to the the outside corners of the aprons.

As mentioned above, loosen everything up, and start from there...

 

[alan m]

I had the same problem with my 79
The PO put in a spacer between the bib and side piece.
I took that out and on close examination found the hood to be a bit farther out from the fire wall than it should be due to a pair of after market hood hinges.
With the hood sitting where it should be I loosened the skirts, fenders and side panels and positioned everything in place then held it with duct tape while I tightened it all up.
Now it fits fine with the exception of the hinges which I now have to replace.
Alan

 

[mjr9902]

Thanks everyone ......I just wanted to make sure I wasn't going nuts....guess I will loosen everything up and do some adjustments....an old neighbor of mine recommended to start with the hood first and build the front end from there....I will start a new post tomorrow with the pics of my progress....I am loving the freeborn red.....and the wife is finally happy!

 

[mjr9902]

Here are the pictures of the issue!

 

[thecrazygreek]

Here are the pictures of the issue!

Classis hood alignment issue right there.

Loosen the hood hinge fasteners, and adjust. They will "float" and allow for movement of the hood. Tighten down when set.

If the hood gaps seem good and it looks the way it does, then you have a fender issue. Swing the bib forward out of the way, and pull the fenders towards the direction you need. This can sometimes be done without pulling but by loosening the four bolts that hold the fender to the frame and making some adjustments there.

 

[cjgoode]

I had put mine back together just to keep working on it, looked about the same way. I loosened up all fender screws, including the ones to the bib, and loosened up the bib bolts and hood. Moved stuff around till it lined up staring with the fenders to the body bolts then fender to frame, then fender to bid, then bib, then hood, and last I did the aprons. I was surprised how much stuff could move around.

 

[tyama]

Hiya,

I had to redrill some holes on pretty much everything to get it to line up to an acceptable level. I'm thinking the body was about 05 to 1cm too far forward when I put it back on the frame with new mounts. I hope you don't have to do much drilling or readjusting...it's a PITA.

Best regards,

ty:

 

[Living in the Past]

I see tow or things to check. One is the frame straight? Second how much play is there with the body mounts on the tub. Never had this much of a misalinement. Like mention how does the hood line up with the cowl? Is the spacing even all the way across? Use a straight edge on the apron and cowl. Is it a straight line. Are both sides the same. I'm from AZ and collecting parts for many years so I've never used anything other than OEM parts so don't know about after market fenders. Could the main fender braces be bend the opposite on the tow fenders.

This is kind of off the subject but I thought this might be a good thread to bring this up. Having over a dozen cruisers with this front clip (25/40/45) and more front clips in parts stored away one thing I have notice it how often the front bib is not far enough forward and the hood sticks out. With the spring loaded latches and the bumpers in the middle of the bib this will cause the front edge of the hood to bucket while bouncing around off road. The strength is strongest on the front edge of the hood. The further back the pads are on the hood the weaker it is. I will move the bib forward a little to keep the hood and bib lined up even if this means the bib sticks forward a little from the apron. I also make sure all four rubber pads are on the bib to spread the weight evenly.