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

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.

Book indicates that the 40 are stand alones. Just for 1940. Hope you find a suitable set. Charlie

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

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.

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.

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.