Hood Hinges and Alignment Issue

[Banana]

Really tried the posted techniques from Resto Rick's site to adjust the back of the hood down. Helped some, but hood still raised above fender no matter the adjustment.

Wondering if hinge may be worn/damaged.

Best way to check for worn hinges? Easy way to tighten them up? Or need to send them to resto shop?

Thanks for the feedback

[Chryco Psycho]

did you loosen the hinges & raise the front of the hood , this has always worked for me ?

[70 Challenger Lover]

I've had this issue on a couple cars. Close hood. If you can then push the hood lower at the hinge and it goes down some, then the hinge is probably worn. I've been able to lower the entire hinge (all 3 bolts) and get the hood to sit down more. If you are already all the way at the bottom, you might consider making the slots on the hinge longer so you have a little more adjustment room. Unless the hinge is already resting on the inner fender panel. Then you will have to raise the fenders and doors

[Cuda Cody]

Loosen the 3 bolts (slightly) and have someone push up on the hood while it's open.  So the hinge will rotate are far as it can.  Tighten the bolts so it holds and test close it slowly.  Repeat on both sides.  The key is to push up on the hood from the front (when it's open) to adjust the closed position of the hood.

[Banana]

I am able to push the back of the hood down to the fender, so maybe the hinge is worn.

I really don't want to raise the fender and door

[Cuda Cody]

Also, if you do not have the engine in yet, you can work from the engine bay and rotate the spring (with the 3 bolts) while the hood is closed.

[Banana]

I did loosen and push the hood up at the front. The hinge did rotate around the bolts. It did get better, but still about 1/4" above fender (which I can then push the hood down flush to fender).

I give it another shot....

If not, anyone ever able to tighten up their hinges?

[gzig5]

I've got the opposite problem with the fiberglass AAR hood on my car.  Springs are off to prevent warping and I can't get the rear of the hood high enough to be able to have the wipers mounted.  The spring must push up on the rear when the hinge is closed.

As far as spring rebuilding, I think this guy has been recommended here.
http://www.restorick.com/

I think I have an extra set of springs in a box of parts I bought.  I'll see what it will take to get them apart and tighten them up this winter.

[worthywads]

I have a similar problem only with the drivers side.  I can push it down and it will look alright but will return up a bit after driving.

Other problem is the hood won't stay up on it's own, I prop with a piece of wood dowel.  What is the cause of that?, weak springs.  My assumption is the original flat hood was replaced with R/T hood and it is heavier?  Different spring?

[worthywads]

Bump

Anyone have any knowledge on the hood too heavy to stay open issue?  Stronger springs, sloppy hinge that needs work?  It's embarrassingly been this way for the 27 years I've owned it.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have not seen that , is the hood modified ?
strongers springs would help , 71-74 Chargers have 7' heavy hoods , maybe they they have stronger springs ?

[worthywads]

I have not seen that , is the hood modified ?
strongers springs would help , 71-74 Chargers have 7' heavy hoods , maybe they they have stronger springs ?

Just a R/T hood in place of the flat hood, with I'm assuming the original flat hood springs/hinge.  I'll take a closer look, I've think it's possible there may be some light bondo fill that could be the cause.

[worthywads]

Some not too flattering shots of what is probably some bondo under the paint. 



??? struggling to get more photos uploaded to my flickr account.

[1 Wild R/T]

I don't think thats rondo, I think it's undercoating which is typically allot heavier than bond...

[worthywads]

A couple more pictures.