Hood alignment problem 1980 K20

[429p]

I have a 1980 Chevrolet K20 3/4 p/u with problems in hood alignment and the hood pops up in the back towards the windshield.  See pictures.  I have tried enlarging the hood hinge holes with a die grinder to help with shifting the hood around on top of the hinges.  Should I enlarge the holes some more to get the hood to the point I can shift it around on top of the hinges?  Should I put some washers between the hinge and the fender?

The hinge pins had some slop in them, so I welded the pins to the hinge.  This helped with tightening up the hinge movement. 

I have added about 1/2" of washers to the front bolt where the hood attaches to the hood.  from what I have read in "autobody 101", this is supposed to help lower the back of the hood.  Should I add more washers?   

Thanks for the help.  Great forum.

[mikek20]

From the pictures it looks like either the driver side hinge needs completely replaced, or the driver fender needs shims where it meets core support, top of friewall, and sides the can spend all day grinding and spacing to make it fit, but it seems something is way off. I noticed the fender and door are different than rest of the body, was it hit or in an accident?

[cymrych]

I can't quite tell from the photos, does the hood sit as high on the passenger side as it does it that bottom photo of the driver's side? Either way, I agree with Mike that something seems way off kilter here.

Can we see a pic or two of what you've done to the hinges themselves?

[429p]

Mike:   The person i bought the truck from said a cow got struck by the door from the inside.  This is the second door.  I smacked the edge of the second door with a tractor.  I bought another door and used fender thinking that it might help the hood alignment.  I still have the old fender.  The dimension accross the engine bay between the fenders is equal on the front and back.  I do not know how to get a verticle measurement of the fenders.  I just assume that since the fender to radiator support is bolted, there would be no verticle adjustment.

   I will just try replacing the hinges.  Cheap enough, but I wanted a second opinion.   

Cymrych:  The hood sits higher on drivers side toward the windshield.  Attached is a pic of the hinge welding.  I put a weld bead between the "bradded side" of the pin. you might be able to see it in the pic.

[VileZambonie]

Common problem. Replacing the hinges is the way to go.

[1980c10]

Vile or anybody have a good source for the hinges? Is after market good enough?

[bake74]

Mike:   The person i bought the truck from said a cow got struck by the door from the inside. 

     Sorry have to ask this cause a picture just popped into my brain.  Was a cow driving the truck ?  How did a cow get struck by the inside of the door ?  Do you mean he was backing up and had his door open and hit a cow ?

[429p]

Exactly.  Sorry for the confusion.

Any response about "after market hinges?". Are they of good enough quality ?

[VileZambonie]

Aftermarket is fine. Check with Chris and see if he has them for sale otherwise Rockauto http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

1980 CHEVROLET C10 PICKUP 5.7L 350cid V8 : Body-Exterior : Hood Hinge  Wiki Price Alternate
VARIOUS MFR Part # GM1236117    {#6260007}
left side; Assy (Only 8 Remaining)
 
 $17.03 
Add Part   
VARIOUS MFR Part # GM1236118    {#6260008}
right side; Assy
 
 $17.09 
Add Part   
SHERMAN Part # CCC89842L    Hood Lift 
Hood Hinge; Stepside; Left
Hood Hinge; Left
Left Hand HOOD HINGE GM P/U/BLAZER/JIMMY/SUBURBAN 73-80; BIG TEN
 
 $20.79 
Add Part   
SHERMAN Part # CCC89842R    Hood Lift
Hood Hinge; Stepside; Right
Hood Hinge; Right
Right Hand HOOD HINGE GM P/U/BLAZER/JIMMY/SUBURBAN 73-80; BIG TEN
 
 

[Captkaos]

I have them, they are $49.95, but the driver side is out of stock.

[VileZambonie]

Chris,

Are they listed on the site? I didn't see them.

[Captkaos]

I pulled them off when both went on backorder with no date.  Didn't put them back on since the driver side is still out of stock.