Hood won't set down in the back

[ptberry]

Hello everyone, I just joined and wanted to jump right in the thick of things. I just acquired the truck that I always wanted, a '74 short-bed step-side. It's one rough old truck, but I am looking forward to spending time fixing it up. The first problem I want to tackle is this hood thing since I assumed it would be an easy fix. The back part of the hood sits up about an inch above the fender line, the passenger side is worse than the drivers side. I tried loosening the hinges and moving them down, but that did nothing. I removed the springs, and it sites down very close, but still not quite all the way. I's like to know if anyone has seen this before, or if a previous owner has done something bizarre to cause this.

[oscarone]

I have the exact same problem.  And, like yours, the passengr side is worse.  I just put a new hood and hinges on (had that chevy buckle in the center of the old one).  I was hoping the new hinges would solve the problem, but, it's still there.  Post it if you figure it out.

[Blazin]

I have encountered this problem several times on my own and customers trucks and installing new hinges solved the problem.

[cimfth]

I have the same crappy problem on my 78. If new hinges don't solve the problem, try taking the hinges off and use a round file (chainsaw file works good) to make the slots go lower the hinge will go lower and the hood will go down. mine will shove down with your hand I was thinking about some of those hood clips on the back of the hood.

[Blazin]

I tried hoging out the holes with a die grinder on several trucks, it didn't solve the problem. I took out so much metal on my girls brother inlaws truck that I was afraid the bottom bolt would pull through. I swap on used hinges from my parts trucks that the hood closes correctly on, solves the problem every time.

[ptberry]

New hinges it will be then. Thanks for the help.

[Blazin]

Find a junker that the hood shuts correctly and use those hinges. This would be cheaper than new hinges.  

[ptberry]

Good idea! I was toying with the idea of getting a junker for parts anyway as it is looking like I will need quite a bit of stuff.

[oscarone]

hey ptberry,
did you try a new set of hinges for the hood?  I was just wondering if it worked out for you.  Like I said, I put a new set on mine, but, have the same problem.  I was wondering if I should bother with a third set?  If so, I'll do the junkyard route Blazin sugjested.

[Blazin]

oscarone, new hinges didn't solve your problem?  

[oscarone]

no.  I wasn't actually putting the new hinges on for that reason.  I had the buckle in center of the hood and the back sat up.  When I bought the new hood I put new hinges and springs on to replace the old ones.  They were a little sloppy.  I figured when putting the new stuff on I would be able to adjust the back....nope.  Even with the new hinges, springs and hood, I still have the problem.

[Blazin]

Don't know what to tell ya! I have never had one still sit up after a new used set of hinges, just luck I guess.

[ptberry]

Still haven't gotten any new hinges on there, but while playing around with it I discovered that taking the springs off the hinges allows the hood to set down all the way. I am guessing that it's due to excessive wear in the hinges?

[oscarone]

I had suspected the springs on mine may be causing the problem...my hinges are new, so, it wouldn't be from wear.  I had thought maybe the groove where the spring sits at the forward end is different between different hinges.  If it sits too high the hood would rest on top of the spring.  This would also explain why the passenger side  is worse than the drivers side.  The same spring is used on both sides.  It's flipped over.  When you put them back on check it out...you'll see what I mean.  The open end of the spring is at the bottom on the passenger side, so, the spring tends to sit a little higher.  I'll try the same thing on mine tomorrow if I get a chance.

[oscarone]

I took the springs off today.  It helped a little, but, the hood still sits up in the back....I WILL figure it out.