Thread: 1971 Camaro RS

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Here are a couple other pics I took of it. I really need to adjust and fit the hood. It's too wide. I could probably oblong the holes in the fenders to get them out some more but I'd rather trim the hood. Harwood told me they make them a little wide so you can fit them to your car. I was worried I'd cut through the seam or something.

Originally Posted by 40FordDeluxe

Here are a couple other pics I took of it. I really need to adjust and fit the hood. It's too wide. I could probably oblong the holes in the fenders to get them out some more but I'd rather trim the hood. Harwood told me they make them a little wide so you can fit them to your car. I was worried I'd cut through the seam or something.

It isn't a stock hood Seth.

Originally Posted by 34_40

It isn't a stock hood Seth.

I was trying to state that I was wondering why they don't just make the hood the same width as the factory steel one. I seems crazy that GM made millions of the steel hoods that fit and now you have to cut up new fiberglass ones to make them fit? The cars didn't get wider. It would just be a matter of using a tape measure on the company's part, seems weird to me.

Mike, I'll be right down.

Now you're just teasing!!!

Cut the seam I have done that on doors just weld them back grind and sand and prime and. Hard part keeping it straight. Long board helps

How much too wide is the hood? I ran across a 'glass hood years ago that was 1/2" too wide, had to slice it along the sides, cut out 1/4" on each side and glass it back together! Hopefully your's isn't that bad and a bit of grinding will fix it.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

How much too wide is the hood? I ran across a 'glass hood years ago that was 1/2" too wide, had to slice it along the sides, cut out 1/4" on each side and glass it back together! Hopefully your's isn't that bad and a bit of grinding will fix it.

I'm hoping that no more than an 1/8" off each side will have to go. I pulled out the fenders as far as they would go in July. I was hoping that a lone would have done it. Haha

I see you got photobombed by a Fiat lol

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I see you got photobombed by a Fiat lol

There is some irony to that too. My brother in law and sister in law own that. She used to be married to a gear head in the 70s who had some sweet rides. A 67 GTO that was a drag car, a 70 LS6 4 speed Chevelle, and many others. They were checking out the Camaro and I laughed and asked him if he knew what FIAT meant. I found it funny and ironic because his name is Tony. He about died laughing. He never had heard it before.

I did not know the cowl hoods were fiberglass.,and I'm really surprised that there molded that poorly.They can say they want you to trim them to fit for your benefit, but the steel hoods don't seem to be a problem.

Originally Posted by 53 Chevy5

I did not know the cowl hoods were fiberglass.,and I'm really surprised that there molded that poorly.They can say they want you to trim them to fit for your benefit, but the steel hoods don't seem to be a problem.

It's not an unusual problem with 'glass parts, my guess would be that the mold for this hood was a bit oversize and no one bothered to correct it. I don't recall too many 'glass parts I've had over the years that fit out of the box! After a mold is used so many times it must be replaced with a new mold, sometimes these molds are made off the existing mold rather then the part the original mold was made off of resulting in some variances in the size.

And to me! Sounds like the mold has "grown" and they don't want to correct it. ( just my opinion)
So they say upfront it's bigger to fit a "wider" (pun intended) selection of cars, so you have extra body work to do to accommodate everyone. And Harwood has a good reputation, at least they did..

Speaking of original GM parts..... These cars didn't have really nice gaps from the factory to begin with. Anyhow on the fiberglass stuff not fitting. I'm sure the mold had a lot to do with it. This particular hood had a stress crack in the scoop from when they jerked it out of the mold. It was a scratch and dent deal. So I knew it may need some work. I used to use unlimited products back in the day on my old Camaro and Nova. That stuff fit horribly. I've heard they are much better these days though.

Yesterday I drove it to work. It did just fine. I may have put it on our new hoist and walked under it just to check it over. I did find the tail shaft seal is weeping. I guess I will put that on my to do list. Haha I did put the LED head lights I removed from the orange truck in it so I could drive it home.

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Harwood builds race car stuff . none of it fits well or holds up. never intended to be street or show quality.