VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 41 hood alignment

I replaced a hinge and I want to align the hood, is it best to remove the hood lock plate to make the task easier.

I'd say, "yes." But not sure. I got mine in place okay but it is not right. The catch for the hood release hangs by a thread. After I release it to check the water and oil I have to slam it and even then it will pop open. I may have to stop several times.
Good luck,
Charlie

If you have the grill out then leave the locking mechanism alone. If you do not by all means disable the lock so that the hood will not lock itself and you can not unlock it. You will not believe how hard/impossible it is to unlock the hood when the lock is misaligned. I think we have discussed the alignment problems before on our site or the 46-48 site. I will be home this afternoon to talk and look for the posts. You can call me at (989-832-7634). The manual also covers alignment and tells you that the hood springs must be off on the bottom (hanging loose) before making any adjustments and both sets of bolts for each of the hinge brackets must be also loose. Good luck, Mike

C'mon Charlie! Adjust that latch , too!!!! I guarandarn T it that it's NOT nice when it flies up while you are going down the road at 60 mph; does some pretty nasty damage, too.....

Does too!

And that back up catch doesn't always do it's job, either....

It'd make ya wanna git rid o thet '41 and buy yersef a nice green '38! Would too!

Below are the posts on this topic from 6/18/10


"Put your big boy pants on and GET HER DONE" Charlie

Are the hood hinges on the 40 car interchangeable with the 41 car. Think I need both hinges on my 41 I beleive they are sprung, the back end of the hood sticks out away from the cowl.
_________________________
Ya got to drive'em

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The Filling Station 1937-42
#176082 - 06/18/10 06:17 PM Re: 41 hood hinges [Re: 32 ragtop]
41specialdeluxe Offline
1500

Registered: 09/14/09
Posts: 1638
Loc: NC usa
Book indicates that the 40 are stand alones. Just for 1940. Hope you find a suitable set. Charlie

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#176107 - 06/19/10 05:00 AM Re: 41 hood hinges [Re: 32 ragtop]
Reed Belden Offline
Grease Monkey

Registered: 10/19/07
Posts: 14
Loc: lexington, Virginia
believe it or not it can come from having the springs on backwards. I had that problem and it took me several hours to figure out the problem. Looks ok but it isnt.
good luck

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#176111 - 06/19/10 06:05 AM Re: 41 hood hinges [Re: 32 ragtop]
Mike Buller Online

Backyard Mechanic

Registered: 10/11/07
Posts: 354
Loc: MI, USA, Midland
Hi, I just finished adjusting the hood on my 41. It took me hours before I realized I HAD THE HINGES INSTALLED ON THE WRONG SIDES. Each hinge is designed for a specific side. A very careful inspection of each will help you see the differences (the upper adjustment slot on each hinge is different). When you get the right one on each side the gap at the firewall will adjust easily. The springs are not installed until AFTER you establish correct alignments and all adjusting bolts are tight (you may have to install the springs at the top but they should hang loose). You need to be very careful that the front lock mechanism is aligned properly or the hood will shut and not open. I would align the front hood latch before installing the grill even if everything has to be taken apart again for the grill to fit. I had my hood stick shut so I took off the passenger side horn inner fender to reach under the latch and loosen the latch post with a long screwdriver. This was almost MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. I had also taken off the valance, but am not sure that was necessary. I have an extra hood that someone took a torch to and cut a large hole in the hood to access the hood mechanism???

Good luck, Mike

P.S. Put some notes in your manual so next time you will remember how you reinstalled the hood latch, hinge, and spring. I video tape how I take things apart and put things together.
_________________________
Mike 41/77 Chevys

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#176117 - 06/19/10 08:47 AM Re: 41 hood hinges [Re: 32 ragtop]
41specialdeluxe Offline
1500

Registered: 09/14/09
Posts: 1638
Loc: NC usa
According to the 29-52 parts book, the 1940 is group 8.015, left side hinge part number 3653437. Right side is 3653438. So there is, indeed, a left and a right. Hope this helps some.

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#176201 - 06/20/10 01:23 PM Re: 41 hood hinges [Re: 32 ragtop]
32 ragtop Offline

Shade Tree Mechanic

Registered: 11/04/02
Posts: 100
Loc: zephyrhills, fl
Thanks for the info.

The hood blew up when I was out for a drive. safety spring was broke and the safety latch did not catch. The cowl stopped the hood from hiting the windshield.
_________________________
Ya got to drive'em

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IF THE SAFETY SPRING IS BROKEN YOU ARE REALLY ASKING FOR TROUBLE. I POSTED HOW TO MAKE A NEW SPRING WITH PICTURES EARLIER THIS YEAR. LET ME KNOW AND I WILL LOOK UP THE DATE OF THE POST. GOOD LUCK MIKE

Something that will bend hood hinges is lack of lubricant! I'm not sure on these old Chevies, but I had a friend with a F*&% who kept struggling to open and close his hood. I kept telling him to oil the hinges, but before he got around to it he was closing it one day and they bent out rather than rotate....

Richardj, I know what you speaking about. Reason I had to change hinges was the hood blew up at speed. Spring broke on the safety hook and the hook did not catch.