Thread: Updates and hood problem (need help)

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Faith, that is a 32 hood side panel.
32's measure 32" along the center of the hood top.
30-31 Model A hoods measure 31 5/8"
28-29 Model A hoods measure 27 3/4"

Model A hood sides are straight on the bottom edge, 32's turn down a bit at the rear so as to pick up the swoopy frame lines and flow into the swoopy body lines.



The hood side may pull down to match the lower beltline when there's some tension on it from the hood latches.
I note that the upper hood/body beltline is mis-aligned about the same amount.

As far as the overly long at the back bit goes, there may or may not be an overlap - or double layer of steel - running vertically at the back.

If your hood side panels are not doubled you could have your body guy shorten them by grinding off part of the hood's rear vertical run - or do it yourself, it's not difficult.

A good trick to do this is to clamp a piece of 1 1/2" x 1 1 2" x 1/8" angle steel to it.
Make sure the angle steel is straight.
Clamp it top and bottom so the edge of the angle is where you want to make the cut.
Then use a 4" grinder with Pearl wheel (some call em flap wheels) to grind the excess hood material away.
Grind down to the angle which is now your guide.
Makes for a nice straight edge.
Be sure and deburr.
Use a file here.

You don't want to make the cut with tin snips or you'll bend the hood edge and/or put some waves in it.

I did angle steel/grinding trick with the home-made hood side panels on my 31 on 32 rails roadster and it worked great.

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About your tailights . . . is the bulb just lying there in the bottom of the bucket?
Or is the bulb socket that low?

Both sets of my 39 taillights have the socket and bulb centered so the light hits the lense like it's supposed to.

You may want to add the rubber gasket between body and taillight housing.
That'll keep the water out of the body/taillight juncture.

You especially want to run the narrow cork gasket between lense and taillight housing.
Water in there will create electrical/lighting problems.

The body/housing gasket is available at Bob Drake reproductions.
A very good piece fwiw.
They should carry the cork gasket as well.

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Great on the road pics....