1941-1948 Ford hood hinge help

[Chris]

Hello guys, I have a 46 Ford coupe that the hood always sticks up in the back...more on one side then the other. I can push the hood down on each side but it still does not sit down nice and even. The hinges are lubed and work very smoothly. I have taken the hood off but do not visually see anything that looks wrong (bent, worn, etc)...has anyone had this problem on one of these cars? I see no way to adjust anything. I have owned several 41-48 Fords over the years and never remember the hoods not shutting correctly. It latches and opens/closes fine, it is simply how it lays acrsos the cowl that is the issue.


On a side note, worse comes to worse I see new hinges are made. Has anyone used a set? Do they work?


Thanks, Chris

[mrtexas]

I'm in your same situation. I have a set of original hinges I tightened up and a new Bob Drake set. I'm asking someone else to make it fit. Did you know there are two styles of hinges, early one has two pieces for each side and later has one piece?

[Chris]

Originally Posted by mrtexas

I'm in your same situation. I have a set of original hinges I tightened up and a new Bob Drake set. I'm asking someone else to make it fit. Did you know there are two styles of hinges, early one has two pieces for each side and later has one piece?

Have you tried the new Bob Drakes on your car? Did they not work?

[woodiewagon46]

Chris, your problem is not an uncommon one. If you can get a copy of the V-8 Times, 2009, May/June issue there is an article on how to adjust the hood for '41 thru '48 cars. I had the same issue as you and the article helped align my hood perfectly.

[1942deluxe]

Google Marks Ford parts and Mark's website comes up and you can find the link to the article at the bottom of the page.

[George/Maine]

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I also have same problem, one owner drilled a new hole and worked better.
One problem I have is my car is a 47 with a 46 nose. On passer side is wider at cowl ,seams like the nose is to far to left side. I see they after market kits to improve the hood and stays open higher. There is very little movement the adjust nut is in side car may help.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by 1942deluxe

Google Marks Ford parts and Mark's website comes up and you can find the link to the article at the bottom of the page.

That article is great and gives me a great start, thanks a lot!

[oldskool]

had that problem with my 46 merc new bob drake hinges did all adjustments via early ford v8 instructions,nothing worked ,I bit the bullet and bought a kit from speedway and hood sits flush now and stays open to

[Darrell S]

I had the same problem with the 48 hood. I installed a new set of hinges with springs from Drake and it pulled the hood down where it should be. Also it will now stay up without a prop.

[Old Henry]

On mine, no amount of adjustment fixed the problem. I finally removed the springs and it sat down perfectly. I use a stick to hold the hood up when needed.

Possibly all new hinges would have helped but I didn't go to that extent. My fix was cheaper and quicker and works great.

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by Chris

Have you tried the new Bob Drakes on your car? Did they not work?

Since I sent the car out to Ron Heiden in California I'm letting him get someone to fit it. I sent both original and repro hinge sets.

[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by oldskool

had that problem with my 46 merc new bob drake hinges did all adjustments via early ford v8 instructions,nothing worked ,I bit the bullet and bought a kit from speedway and hood sits flush now and stays open to

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Techno...Kit,51176.html

Here is the link.

[mrtexas]

Anyone out can post a picture of 41 vs 42-48 hinges?

[Veeder]

Any chance it is one spring exerting more force then the other? I will look at my 41 tomorrow and take a pic of the hinge and post it for you if you would like.

[henry's 48]

I had the same problem with my 48.
An old time body man came by and had me take the kick panels out
from the inside. There are some bolts there. Loosen them. He then
pushed around from the front of the hood a few times and Voila it fits
good now.

[woodiewagon46]

Henry, you do not need to remove the kick panel. The adjustment nuts he loosened are accessible by reaching above the panel.

[henry's 48]

Well, I'm not sure about that.I did remove the kick panels when
we worked on it.

[Marvin/TN]

I could do it for you but can't tell you how to do it. I was out your way back in 2012 for an AF reunion and could have fix it for but too late. I do have to say who ever organizes the Armed Forces Torch Light Parade sure have it down pat. I think we were # 285 entry.

[fordor41]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

On mine, no amount of adjustment fixed the problem. I finally removed the springs and it sat down perfectly. I use a stick to hold the hood up when needed.

Possibly all new hinges would have helped but I didn't go to that extent. My fix was cheaper and quicker and works great.

Exactly what I ended up doing on my '41. No springs and sits perfectly, with the springs the hood acts like it is too wide at the cowl.

[fordor41]

Originally Posted by Old Henry

On mine, no amount of adjustment fixed the problem. I finally removed the springs and it sat down perfectly. I use a stick to hold the hood up when needed.

Possibly all new hinges would have helped but I didn't go to that extent. My fix was cheaper and quicker and works great.

Originally Posted by mrtexas

Anyone out can post a picture of 41 vs 42-48 hinges?

evidently there are early and late '41 hinges to boot!!!