Hood install

[1930artdeco]

So I just installed the hood in preparation for the big move up north. But I cannot seem to get it to latch. And I also noticed that the hood may be tweaked a bit. Any suggestions? I probably need to oil things up as she squeals when I open the hood.

Mike

[Daves55Sedan]

If you are talking about the '57, look on the middle of the firewall near the top and you will see the latch mechanism. There is a "L"-shaped pin at the rear underside of the hood that goes into this latch. That pin can be adjusted up or down and tightened with the locknut.

[oldave57]

The 57 Ford hood has multiple adjustments.

1) The hinge to hood joint can be adjusted fore and after to alter the side to side clearance between the hood and fenders. You might also check the hinges at this joint to see if there are marks from where the bolts were tightened before as a starting point.

2) The front of the hood can be adjusted up and down by moving the hinges up and down at the hinge to radiator support joint which is slotted vertically.

3) The center "L" dowel that attached to the underside rear of the hood and engages the latching mechanism can be adjusted from side to side in a slot as well as vertically with engagement of the dowl into the hood fastener and then tightening the jam nut.

4) The latching mechanism on the firewall can be adjusted vertically in mounting slots.

I think it might be best to start by closing the hood (even if it doesn't latch) to see how it aligns on either side to the fenders as well as how well it aligns to the vent cowl behind the hood. If the only problem is with the latch and the hood is aligned well to the fenders and vent cowl, then you will know where to spend your time. It might be as simple as adjusting the center hood dowel (L bolt) and/or the latching mechanism. It might also be something hanging up in the latching mechanism not allowing it to close properly over the L bolt.

Good Luck,
Dave

[KULTULZ]

And lubricate both the hinges and latch.

You might consider removing the latch striker to align the hood properly and then work on the latch.

[1930artdeco]

Thank you for the info. I may take the latch out align the hood and then reinstall a 59 that I have laying around.


Mike

[KULTULZ]

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I may take the latch out align the hood and then reinstall a 59 that I have laying around.

A 1959 hood will not fit a 1957/58 FORD.

[1930artdeco]

Sorry, just the latch is a 59. People said that is the latch to go to instead of the 57. So I was able to grab one from a yard car.


Mike

[KULTULZ]

... just the latch is a 59. People said that is the latch to go to instead of the 57.

... hmmph ...

First time I have heard that. I wonder what the reason is?

[Daves55Sedan]

I never could get the front springs on the '57 I once had to quit squeaking very long. Problem is your hinges are right in front where they are pelted with 60MPH wind and rain and snow and road salt constantly. Best you can do is try to reach down in there with lubriplate all over your fingers and plaster it all over those moving pins down there.

[1930artdeco]

Ok, oiled everything up and it still squeakes. But, it opens a lot smoother. So, I was able to line the hood in all directions but it still sticks up to high up front. I can push down on the passenger side and it will sink down but pops right back up when I release it. Are these the bolts that I loosen to drop the front of the hood down? I took the latch off to check it and lube it and it looks fine so I will reinstall it. It seems the hood ‘L’ pin is lined up right but it just bounces off the latch fingers🤔. Or they fail to catch the bar.

Mike

[1930artdeco]

Update; I finally got her to latch with the 59 latch. I just scootched it up a bit and it seemed to latch quite easily. The cable does need some lube though but that is for later after the move.


Thank you all,


Mike

[Jeff Norwell]

Mike..... if you have a 59 latch. use it instead of your 57. much better design and less moving parts to jam up or fail.

[Jeff Norwell]

And the cure I use for the squeaking hood hinges(doors too) is Fluid Film... never dries out and lubricates magnificently.
Used it on all my Fords and never squeaked again.
I had a very hipo 312 once I bought from a family... the builder had passed and he sprayed everything internally with FF before he died..... the engine was cracked open after his passing(12 years later) and all the product was there protecting everything from flash rust, etc, etc.....

I really love that stuff.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Jeff Norwell

Mike..... if you have a 59 latch. use it instead of your 57. much better design and less moving parts to jam up or fail.

... hmmph ...

Did not know that ...

Nice to have fresh blood here to learn from ...

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

Ok, oiled everything up and it still squeakes. But, it opens a lot smoother. So, I was able to line the hood in all directions but it still sticks up to high up front.

I can push down on the passenger side and it will sink down but pops right back up when I release it. Are these the bolts that I loosen to drop the front of the hood down?

Mike

Sorry I didn't get back on this ... CRS ...

If you are sure the hinges are adjusted correctly (excellent ILL in WSM), the hinge(s) may be sprung. Are the pivot pins in the actual hinge(s) good or loose? You may have to lower the adjustment just a tad lower to have the nose sit correctly.

[1930artdeco]

K, I assume the hinges are original as I don't see any scrape marks. As for the springs, the hood raises easily so I am assuming they are not sprung. Not sure about the pins as I have to look at a blow out pic in the shop manual. Will check this weekend. The wagon is on hold as my Model A is now giving me fits and needs to be running for the trip north.

Mike

[1930artdeco]

Jeff thanks, I will look for it and give it a shot-so to speak.

Mike

[KULTULZ]

... just the latch is a 59. People said that is the latch to go to instead of the 57.

... hmmph ...

First time I have heard that. I wonder what the reason is?

The reason being FORD replaced the 57/58 latch with the 59. They must have known something I don't.

[KULTULZ]

Originally Posted by Jeff Norwell

And the cure I use for the squeaking hood hinges(doors too) is Fluid Film... never dries out and lubricates magnificently.

Used it on all my Fords and never squeaked again.

...hmmpf ... First learned factoid of the day ...

- https://www.fluid-film.com/

Originally Posted by 1930artdeco

K, I assume the hinges are original as I don't see any scrape marks. As for the springs, the hood raises easily so I am assuming they are not sprung. Not sure about the pins as I have to look at a blow out pic in the shop manual. Will check this weekend.

See ILL below -

The actual spring(s) slide on a sheet metal bar. That is the noise you are hearing.

[cb]

The 59 latches are a pretty popular swap in place of the 57-58 style, I put one on my 57 Ranchero about 10 years ago you can shut the hood with one finger instead of slamming it shut with the 57 style.

[1930artdeco]

K, thanks for the image, I never looked closely at them while the hood was off.

CB, that is the case for sure. The 57/58 hood I was slamming and it just bounce right back up. The 59, one hand closed done deal-after I raised the latch a bit.

Mike

[KULTULZ]

Sorry the ILL is so small. Maybe if you print it out it will enlarge.

Anywho, see where the actual hinge arm pivots on a pin in the mtg bracket? Check that for wear/wallowing as it may be the cause of the nose wanting to raise. And then grease the hell out of it (pivot pin).

You have the hood OEM bumpers installed (16758 & 16796) shown in below ILL?

[1930artdeco]

I will check my shop manual for those images or the parts manuals as well. I will head over this weekend and look at the hinges while I put other things back on her. No bumpers yet, but will eventually add them back.


Mike

[KULTULZ]

Here is additional adjustment procedure info -

[fordor41]

I had trouble getting my '60 ford hood to sit correctly. this winter I removed all the hood rubber bumpers (new)and latch and found out the rubber bumpers were WAY too tall and wide . slowly ground them down, put transfer grease on top of the bumpers until bumpers transfered the grease to the underside of the hood. reinstalled the latch and bingo, good fit.