Thread: 3 OR 4-Piece Hood for '32

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I need opinions, PLEASE. I'm just starting a glass, full fendered '32 3-window, and since it's my first fiberglass car, I don't know which way to go on the hood. Oh, I know I want a stock look, w/louvers. But, I can get that either way. My question is, which would be the easiest to install? Not knowing what sort of alignment issues I might run into, logic kinda tells me that a 3-piece may be easier, since each panel is installed separately. But, maybe that's just not the case. I don't know. What do you folks think? 3 or 4-piece? If I go with a 3-piece, I read somewhere here that a Hagan hood might fit a glass body better. Yes?? If I go with a 3-piece, whose hinge/opener kit is best? I have most everything already, or on the way. So, just need to buy a hood to get started fitting everything up.
Thanks all for your help

It has been my experience than a 3 piece hood is twice as hard to align properly than a original style 4 piece hood. A good friend of mine runs a Rod Shop and he tells folks to figure 35 to 40 hours minimum ... for a 3 piece hood. I had a Pete and Jakes ... long ago when Pete and Jakes was run by Pete and Jake ... not Jerry S. So it's been a long time ... I never got it to fit as well as I wanted.

4 piece original hoods are not exactly a walk in the park either ...





Be aware that there are two different styles of 32 Fords hoods from Henry Ford ... the 20 vent and the 25 vent ( shown above ) A lot of folks feel that the 25 vent hoods help cool a Hot Rod engine better ( I am one of those )
The 25 vent hood came out on August the 18th , 1932 ... to be installed on V8 cars going to warmer climates.

Randy's correct. I spent more hours working on my 3-piece hood than any other part of the car, and I can confirm that I have over 40 hours in it. I used Rootlieb sheet metal, and I am not crazy about the fit of the hood top at the rear of the cowl where it curves over the side. I have no experience with Hagan hoods. But I used a Tri-C hood mechanism and really like it, but if you are looking for the traditional look, that would not work for you. They open from the front instead of the side.

Just to add some more thoughts....... It also depends on the style of car you're building. Traditional cars look better with 4 piece, smoothie cars look better with 3. The 3 piece is harder in part because it's got less "movement" to use in aligning.

The key with a glass car is getting the body as squared up as possible on the frame. Given that some (all?) of them aren't all that square to start with you end up compromising some. You'll learn to fit everything loosely (a dozen times ain't unusual if you're a picky sort) to get it all aligned the way you want it.

As for the Hagan, unless he's changed how he does it, he sends you pattern making material with instructions. You fit and cut to your car, so, in theory, the fit should be "perfect". The reality is that it all depends on how accurate you can be. And then, even though you pre-build the car, carefully shimming and fitting each piece, then blow it apart to paint, even though you may have religiously marked every shim and mounting point, you'll still be doing tweeks on "final" reassembly. But that's all part of the fun of building from the ground up!

Oh, I'm soooooo picky I drive myself crazy. If Dad did one thing thoroughly, it was raising me a perfectionist! Sooner or later (always "later") the anal-retentive, obsessive procrastination wears me out, and I just dive in. And, it always works out well, to my surprise. AT 60 (Christmas day), wouldn't ya think I'd have gotten it by now!!!Thanks guys. You've been a real help, as always. Gonna go with a Rootlieb 4-piece, w/stock louvers.

I guess that I got lucky 'cause my 3 piece from Rootleib was no problem. It was just a matter of cutting the hood rods to the right length and a little filing and it was good to go. Now the windshield was a whole different matter.

Originally Posted by Offy

...Now the windshield was a whole different matter.

Care to elaborate? I'm about to tackle that project next.