Hood alignment?

[Hoosierman]

Often when I close the hood on my '88, the edge will want to close on the drive side fender a little bit and not fully close. If I persuade it, it'll close normally.

Could this be bent hinges or something to adjust? Thank you.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Yeah, something is out of adjustment. It’s a pain getting the hood properly aligned, I’ve done it more than I’d like to admit

 

[Hoosierman]

Yeah, something is out of adjustment. It’s a pain getting the hood properly aligned, I’ve done it more than I’d like to admit.

What usually causes this?

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

What usually causes this?

In my case it’s usually taking the hood off to swap a motor or do body repair, lol.

Not sure what exactly happened with your situation.

I’ve seen slightly bent hinges, they’re really kinda flimsy in the RBVs, I can bend them just by shoving on the hood when it’s up. There’s a ton of adjustment at the bolts where the hinges attach to the hood as well which is part of why it’s not easy to align. The hood latch also has a good bit of adjustment. Usually if you mess with the hinges, you have to mess with the latch.

 

[Hoosierman]

In my case it’s usually taking the hood off to swap a motor or do body repair, lol.

Not sure what exactly happened with your situation.

I’ve seen slightly bent hinges, they’re really kinda flimsy in the RBVs, I can bend them just by shoving on the hood when it’s up. There’s a ton of adjustment at the bolts where the hinges attach to the hood as well which is part of why it’s not easy to align. The hood latch also has a good bit of adjustment. Usually if you mess with the hinges, you have to mess with the latch.

Oh gee.

 

[RobbieD]

What does the gap look like on the passenger side?

If it looks normal, you may try loosening the driver fender's top bolts, prying it out and retightening. This is limited to what play is available with the bolts through the holes, and you may get less movement at the cowl, but more movement as you go toward the grille.

If the passenger gap is wide, adjust the hood.

A redneck shadetree way to adjust a hood involves 2x4s and judicious prying of the slightly opened hood, but I don't want to recommend it.

Once the hood is centered, the latch may need adjusting, too.

Panel alignment can be aggravating as hell; I think I know why the really good body men tended to drink a lot.

 

[SenorNoob]

That's why I say if it works and nothing interferes it's good. LOL

 

[Hoosierman]

What does the gap look like on the passenger side?

If it looks normal, you may try loosening the driver fender's top bolts, prying it out and retightening. This is limited to what play is available with the bolts through the holes, and you may get less movement at the cowl, but more movement as you go toward the grille.

If the passenger gap is wide, adjust the hood.

A redneck shadetree way to adjust a hood involves 2x4s and judicious prying of the slightly opened hood, but I don't want to recommend it.

Once the hood is centered, the latch may need adjusting, too.

Panel alignment can be aggravating as hell; I think I know why the really good body men tended to drink a lot.

My late father was a body guy as well as a mechanic- booze flowed like watee in the house.

I wouldn't want to do it the redneck way unless it was a matter of getting home or something. I'm all about try to fix a problem at its root. I have a few manuals for my '84 Bronco II, maybe it'll help with the latch adjustment aspect.