hood fit

Just got my new hood at Eckler's last Sat. It's a pretty good fit overall, except for the very front (where it comes to a point) where it's raised up about a 1/2" (not flush). The Eckler's guys said it's hardly ever a "perfect" fit, but with the sun's heat and a bit of pressure it could probably be persuaded. Anybody out there been successful at this operation that can offer some tips? I don't want to add/remove shims since perfect everywhere else. Maybe I'm just being anal, it'll look better once it's painted.

JR

Is it a half inch higher than the nose at the center? If so, that's far from perfect. I don't think you're being anal at all! I also don't think sunlight and pressure is a "fix"
Get them to replace the hood. Hoods are not cheap and you should get what you're paying for.

That's probably my only option....they were off on this one. Thanks!

JR

I'll share this experience....Guess the Eckler boys were right. My original posting stated that the new hood was half inch higher in the front (nose)....maybe it was more like 3/8". By golly, with a little heat and pressure I was able to tame the fiberglass. Here's how I did it: Went out on a long ride in the hot sun. The combination of the sun's heat and the one created by the engine got the hood quite warm. Very carefully, I placed my old ac compressor (old style-heavy) over the area where it comes to a point, shimming and securing it where it sat level and steady. Believe me, if it wasn't on there good I wouldn't have chanced it. I kept it on until the hood cooled off....every time it would be lower. I did this three times to get it where I wanted it and off it went to the paint shop. Don't know if I would even recommend anyone do this....seems pretty hair-brained.

DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!!

JR

I'm glad that worked for you!

I would never have thought of doing something like this to make the hood fit. I would have been sending it back to Ecklers and doing some Good work.

Just one more thing I didn't include in my last post. I placed it on a mousepad (non-slip underside) to keep everything from sliding off the sloping angle of the front of the car. The compressor stood upright, pulley side down. I also didn't mention the uneasy feeling that came from pulling this stunt....I must have gotten off my chair a dozen times to see if it was still standing.

JR