1973 K10 Hood Alignment Issues (Hood Gap @ Rear)

[sokoloka]

Hi - my name is Eric and I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce myself as well as get some answers to this nagging problem..

I recently purchased a 1973 K10, and while the fundamentals of the truck are in great shape it's little annoyances like this I want to take care of.

The truck has had its hood replaced at some point, and now when the hood is closed it rides high just above the cowl. Hood action is smooth, opens and closes with no problem, just doesn't want to sit flush as seen in the picture below:

EDIT: Not letting me post a picture URL as I don't have 5 posts yet... will edit shortly when I do..

EDIT: Picture added.

If I PUSH DOWN on the hood in the closed position I can get it to settle almost flush with the fender tops.

What do I need to do to get it aligned properly? Adjust the hinges some how?

I appreciate any help and advice. Thanks in advance!

 

[sokoloka]

Forgot to mention - hood hingers have a bit of lateral play in them when the hood is up. Is that normal?

 

[wheeler]

How about a pic of the hinges? Are there washers between the hood and hinges by any chance? I only ask as that's a look some people go for in at least the Jap car world, and worth looking at. Hinges could be bent as well.

 

[JDNobodi]

Chief Brodie had this problem. Well, he multiple problems with the hood, so he had fix those problems one at a time.

His hood saga started on 4606 and continue for a while.
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=283048

I think he had replace the hinge and the springs.

 

[xsmokey11499x]

thats a nice truck!

if you ever come up this way. lets play

 

[dremu]

Coupla points. One, welcome to CK5, wherein you can find everything from stock restored trucks (occasionally ) to somewhat modified rigs (mostly) to highly tweaked trucks that are barely recognizable as Chebbies.

Second, get into the habit of lubing the hinges at every oil change. I use a light moly grease; you want something thicker than WD40 or silicone spray, anyway. Otherwise you WILL kink the hood when the hinges gum up, and they will. (You might also get one of the "hood stiffener" kits from e.g. LMC to prevent this ... as an example, see http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/csb/full.aspx?Page=34 , bottom left.)

As for adjustment, yes, the hinges are adjustable. As mentioned, the upper part can be shimmed, and the sides can be moved on the quarter panel. IIRC the holes in the hinges are oval or slotted, so you can loosen the bolt just a bit, move the hinge in the desired direction with a mallet, then tighten it back up and try the hood again. It's a trial and error process, easier with a helper. When the hood or hinges are replaced these adjustments should be made, but some folks get lazy and don't do it.

In your case I'm thinking you want to shift the hinges down a bit, maybe more in the back than in the front to maintain the level of the hood.

Some lateral play is to be expected, yeah. When it's bad you gotta replace the hinges (see the bit about lubing them above.) I've always gotten tighter used sets but I suppose you could buy brand new ones. Without actually breaking out the tape, I'd guess my good ones wiggle, say, less than 1/2" ... so if yours is materially looser, you might consider getting tighter springs (which will mean re-adjusting, but by now you're good at it )

-- A

 

[Chief Brody]

One thing that I did that really helps that is to open the hood and loosen the hinge to fender bolts.
Take a 6 or 8 foot 2x4 and place one end in the center of the front edge right behind the latch....push upward until it won't go anymore...it will actually lift an inch or two beyond normal...not extreme force though...

then tight the rearmost bolts first and then the front 2 bolts....

Remove the 2x4....chances are your hood will be even or below the fender line....if not, you probably need to get new springs.

 

[Chief Brody]

By the way...I swear that aligning panel gaps is the hardest part of all to get right...I had to learn to compromise...