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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / '47 ford hood alignment

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Posted By Discussion Topic: '47 ford hood alignment -- page: 1 2 3     louganser 03-02-2010 @ 7:54 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 39 Joined: Feb 2010 I recently purchased a restored (AACA Senior)1947 Ford coupe deluxe. The back edge of the hood does not fit tightly to the cowl and the back edge of the passenger door does not align with the contour of the body. The seller told me that he has seen other same vintage Fords with this problem. As far as I can tell, the car has not been wrecked (passed the magnet test). Any tips to get these alignment problems resolvedwould be appreciated. Would new hood springs and checking the hinges on the door help? Thanks! Lou Ganser Lou G 42wagon 03-03-2010 @ 3:22 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 584 Joined: Oct 2009 Lou An article appeared in the V8 Times within the last year, I believe, regarding hood adjustment. If my memory serves me correctly you adjust the hinges - there are three bolts in each. I think the article said that raising the hinges lowers the back edge of the hood. Try that before you go out and buy a whole bunch of new parts. Can't help you with the doors - mine are made of wood. Ted supereal 03-03-2010 @ 7:16 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 The main cause of poor fit of the 42-48 hoods, particularly at the cowl end, is weak springs. Loose and worn pivot bolts affect it, as well. The springs actually pull the back edge of the hood down onto the seal as the links go "over center" when the hood is lowered. Springs (91A-16789) are less than ten bucks apiece, and the whole arm/spring assembly is $55 from C&G. All springs lose strength as they age, including the trunk lid supports, etc. Adjusting the hood is another one of those "any change affects everything else" and requires lots of time and patience to get the front and back to fall into place. jerry.grayson 03-03-2010 @ 2:42 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 128 Joined: Oct 2009 Here is how I do it. Lower the hood but don't latch it, then loosen all the hood hinge bolts. This will allow you to position the back edge of the hood where you want it. Tighten all the hinge bolts, then you have to deal with front of the hood to grill and fender alignment. That is another task. Sometimes no further adjustment is needed. If you have worn or bent parts you have to deal with that first. 194dee1 03-04-2010 @ 4:55 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 16 Joined: Oct 2009 I had the same hood alignment problem with my 1941 and the first thing I did was replace the springs. That did not help. What did was doing the adjustment that was in a V8Times issue of a few issues past where you raise the hinge and it works great. John tbloss 03-04-2010 @ 5:42 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 38 Joined: Oct 2009 Jerry: How do you lower the hood and then loosen the bolts? I have always wished I could be under the closed hood with tools and someone on the outside could position the hood. I see how it would work with the engine out. I finally got my hood right when I sent the hinges to a company that has ads in Hemmings, and they made them as new. I can find the name if anyone is interested. Tom.. louganser 03-05-2010 @ 2:11 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 39 Joined: Feb 2010 Many thanks! I'd like to get a copy of that V8 Times. Lou G louganser 03-05-2010 @ 2:13 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 39 Joined: Feb 2010 Thanks! Maybe I should start with a new set of hinges and springs from either Dennis Carpenter or C&G. Lou G supereal 03-06-2010 @ 9:29 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 I don't mean to imply that new springs will fix the problem in every case, but the common complaint is that when the hood is supposed to be completely down on the cowl, it rises as the hood drops. All it takes is a weak spring on one side, or a wobbling hinge, to create the gap. Also, carefully examine the links between the firewall and the hood to be sure none are crooked or bent. If so, no adjustment will be effective. louganser 03-08-2010 @ 12:39 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 39 Joined: Feb 2010 Does anyone have a copy of a recent Ford Times article that deals with hood alignment? I'm a new member and I'd like to get a copy of the article. Many Thanks! Lou Lou G

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