Re: 1937 115 hood chrome strip and holding brackets

Posted by flackmaster On 2020/4/30 21:19:58

First of all, the chrome strip clearly has the end distorted/bent/broken beyond where it would otherwise crimp down over the hood hinge. That should fix the length issue.

Second, what we can call the hood hold down clip which is bolted to the radiator surround at the front, and the cowl at the rear, in an opposing orientation, is designed to hold the hood in place reasonably securely. The design wasn't great to begin with, and with over 80 years of wear, both the clips and the hinge are prone to wear. The clips are reproduced. The hood hinge is NOT, as it is part of the hoods (left and right top portions) interlocking design. Re-engineering the hood hinge design can be done, but at considerable work and expense. Frankly, having said and done it, its only worth doing in either an extreme or OCD situation. Study it, understand it, gently massage what you can to improve yours, and live with it.

OH, and do I see a rubber hammer and a pair of pliers in the background? No surprise as removing and replacing the chrome hood strip CAN be done, it was originally crimped on with some fancy fixture at the factory. Rechroming, rarely successful, usually results in frustration, ending with the hammer being thrown. Better to buy a new reproduction strip and use some magic body side moulding adhesive to install.