VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Hood/ Radiator Lacing Replacement

Ordered some lacing from TFS, and finally got it in. Took my time and removed the old, looks Original lacing from the radiator and Cowl. Going to strip down and prime/ paint the black sections of the radiator/ support before i lace it back up. Removing all those little rivets was a pain. Removing the lacing from the cowl was pretty easy, i removed it in reverse of the installation instructions.

Now on installing the Lacing on the Cowl, How far/ close towards the center brace/ pin should i take the fabric on the lacing ??
Looking at this Cowl Lacing picture, you can see that the lacing fabric was past the third hole out from the center. so about 1.5-2 inches. is this correct or should i put the fabric all the way to the metal when i push the core through and bend it over ?? Lacing all the way in & up or lacing out from the center past third hole

how is everyone else doing it ?? the TFS instructions do not spec out how or where to do the fabric on top the cowl

In my opinion the lacing should go as far toward the center as possible. Nobody wants to see the wire versus the lacing. Though not necessary to support the hood a wider gap would look incomplete.

a company called American muscle has reproduced the cowl lacing hooks and also the lacing with the wire inside. I found it listed for 34 Chevrolets on ebay.............hooks $10.88

mike lynch

I agree with Dog and Chipper .i can't post a pic of how I did my car right now as I'm on vacation away from home. When I took my Olds apart the hood lacing appeared original and the bottom of the wire was fastened differently than I'd seen on our chevys. The wire came through the bottom hole and was pulled down to the inside edge of the sill then nailed to the sill with a narrow U nail and then bent back up. Both sides were done exactly the same. While my car had been repainted at one time, the original color was still under the lacing so it appears it was never removed.

Thanks Guys,m that is what i was going to do, fabric to fabric, just wanted to make sure it was correct or acceptable.

Chistech (Ted) mine on the 1929 was done that way, had the u-nail/ staples inside the lower sill will pulled through bottom hole, then tacked down in place. i plan to put it back that way.

I bought the Lacing w/ Wire, as well as New Hooks from TFS. looks like my lacing was original and NEVER REMOVED even when it was painted, as you can see the original color and wear under it.

There at least three methods of installing the lacing with center wire. Looping the upper end wire through two of the three holes and looping the lower end is one. Looping the upper and stapling the lower to sill is another. Can't remember the third right now. Might come to me when I look at some of my cars.

In any case the hook was used to locate and tension the wire after both ends were attached.

OK, laced up my cowl:

Top of Cowl
New Hook in Cowl
Wire through Cowl w/ Staple
Drivers Side Done

Passenger Side Going on
Top of Cowl w/ New Lacing
Lower Lacing Through Cowl

Was really easy to do, only pain was pulling that wire back on itself up through the top of the cowl, too some convincing and working, but got it done. have to say it looks really nice, I am really happy with it.

Stripped, primed, and painted the bottom of the radiator shroud, as well as part of the radiator brackets/ housing.
Then installed the Lacing on the Radiator. this was really easy followed TFS instructions they sent, and went smoothly.

First Part of Lacing Lined up and Installed
First Side Complete
Back Side of Rivets
Second Side On, and View of the Top

This Lacing went on super easy, and I am very happy with the outcome.

You won't believe how much nicer the new cowl and radiator lacing make under the hood look. At many of the shows I go to I see some nicely detailed engine compartments with lousy looking frayed and worn lacing which just ruins the look in my opinion if the rest of the compartment has been all done up.

Nice Job, as usual. I bought new lacing years ago but last time I found it, the rats had chewed it up. Don't want to put on the chewed lacing so I guess I'll have to buy it again.
Your pictures will guide me.

Wait, just saw you last picture - you took the shell off to lace it up. Never thought of that.

yeah. because the plates and brackets cover a lot of the rivets, i will probably cut a small slit in the lace to be able to hold the screw head to bolt it in. at least that is the plan

I would first try inserting the screws as the lacing will stretch a little.

I have always been able to move new lacing enough to install the screws. Not as sure once the lacing ages.

All the way to the center.

I don't know if all those years and all factories had the lacing on the radiator shell with only one bead but, the originals that I have had were that way. The bead is toward the engine. I slit the double bead on one side near the center and pull out the beading material. Then flatten that side to make it look like the original.

Well got the Radiator put back together. was enough slack in the fabric to pull it down slide in screw, and then pass it through. took my time to make sure i did NOT damage anything i have already done.

1929 Radiator w/ new Lacing & Hardware
Close Up of Hardware

NEW Radiator Mounting Hardware

The two pictures below are of a 31 radiator, with what it looks like, original lacing still attached. On this radiator, the bead is toward the front of the radiator.
Randy, Durango, Co.

Thanks for Posting and Sharing that info !!

Looks good, Bear.
I will be lacing my radiator shell with the lacing from TFS . I am wondering what split rivets you used. I have not been able to find stainless. Did you use nickel plated? What length? What supplier?
Thanks.

I got the lacing for hood, radiator from TFS
also got the Rivets from them

here is what i ordered when i did mine:
FS-118 Hood Lace w/o Wire 7 foot
FS-285 Hoodlace w/ Wire 2x
FS-11683 Hood Lace Split Rivet 3/8 Head 25x
AF-277 Hood Lace Hooks 1set

Thanks.