Help! I had some detailing done on my '67 Firebird and they left the hood hinges such that the rear corners of the hood are higher than the fenders and cowl panel. I tried to adjust the hinges by lowering them but it only seemed to make it worse. Someone told me if you adjust the hinges too low they will not close properly, thus the worsening. Is there any trick to this? I did as the service manuel suggested but the problem still exists. The hood was fine till they removed it to detail my engine compartment. Thanks.
Ern, Seems like I've heard it said that you have to go just the opposite way with the hinges as you would think. In other words if you want the back down, you have to raise the hinge in the back. Something with the geometry of the hinge design I suppose.
Yes. There's a trick. As long as you know that it's an adjustment problem and not worn out hinges. If it's the way yours are where the problem occured after an attempt at adjustment and they were good before, use this trick: Open hood. Loosen back hinge-to-fender bolts. Lift hood at front and have someone tighten back bolts while you are putting pressure up on front of hood. This will get the back hinge adjustment all the way down. Now, loosen front hing-to-fender bolts. Repeat the earlier procedure of lifting front of hood while someone tightens bolts. This will get the front hinge adjustment all the way up. It sounds backwards to have the hinge all the way up to correct a 'high' problem but that's the trick. The hinges will not fold up properly if you have both the front and the back all the way down.
EDIT Bob and I were typing at the same time. I see we have opposite instructions but with the same principle in mind. Try it one way and if that doesn't work try it the other. Let us know if either way helps. I could definitely be wrong but I think Bob and I have the answer.
Also for many of us the rubber cowl seal keeps the hood from laying flat. My hood layed perfectly until I put the seal back where it goes (part of it was pushed away from where it was supposed to be).
