WillBilly53 Posted February 5, 2013 Share Posted February 5, 2013 (edited) What position should the hinges be in for installation of the hood? The hood is the alligator style. Should they be in the closed or open position? Also does anybody have any tips on this process? The '53 manual doesn't seem to cover this. Thanks! Edited February 5, 2013 by WillBilly53 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 6, 2013 Share Posted February 6, 2013 I assume you mean the hood opens from the front when you say alligator style? If so the hinges need to be open so you can get the bolts in. As for advice, I would start with protecting the windshield so the hood cannot slip and crash into it while you are getting the bolts started. Then I would recommend having a helper ( two helpers is even better) so you can hold the hood from each side, lay it onto the top of the hinges and then get at least one bolt 90% finger tight in each side before releasing your grip on the hood. Getting all the bolts in each side before releasing the grip is overkill but I still recommend it. I would also check the hinge to body bolts before starting and I would recommend you grip the hood with one hand on the fender side and one hand on the cowl edge. Hang onto that cowl edge while starting your bolts to the hinges. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillBilly53 Posted February 6, 2013 Author Share Posted February 6, 2013 Thanks for the reply John. Yep, it opens from the front. I think I was getting confused because right now the hinges are installed in the hood, but now I get it - I need to remove the hinges from the hood, install them to the cowl and THEN install the hood to the hinges. I'll see about borrowing my neighbor and maybe Lamar to help out. Thanks for the advice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest martylum Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Hi Will----I'm going to be reinstalling a 53 Roadmaster hood soon and have already mounted the hood hinges on the cowl as it's one less item to hold up and the hinge bolts go in from the inside of the cowl. Yes it's a big heavy hood and I think a 3 person job to get the bolts into the hood at the hinges safely without damaging people or the car. Putting a folded moving blanket over the cowl and glass area seems like a good safety measure just in case. Best to trial fit the bolts to the hood and then lubricate the threads for an easier quicker go.Marty Lum1953 Buick 76X Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 Thanks for the reply John. Yep, it opens from the front. I think I was getting confused because right now the hinges are installed in the hood, but now I get it - I need to remove the hinges from the hood, install them to the cowl and THEN install the hood to the hinges. I'll see about borrowing my neighbor and maybe Lamar to help out. Thanks for the advice!I understand I'm raking leaves this weekend, but maybe I can sneak away Saturday afternoon? Got Fat Tire I presume. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillBilly53 Posted February 7, 2013 Author Share Posted February 7, 2013 (edited) I understand I'm raking leaves this weekend, but maybe I can sneak away Saturday afternoon? Got Fat Tire I presume.I always have Fat Tire on ice. Saturday would be perfect. My neighbor Dan is in and I've got a buddy Tim who might can help out too, so don't sweat it if you can't make it.Thanks Marty! Edited February 7, 2013 by WillBilly53 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 7, 2013 Share Posted February 7, 2013 ...and the hinge bolts go in from the inside of the cowl...Marty Lum1953 Buick 76XOn a 53 the bolts holding the hood hinge to the cowl go from inside the car to the engine compartment? If thats the case then I suppose you could leave the hinges attached to the hood but it would probably be near impossible to align the hinge to cowl bolt holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest martylum Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 The hood hinge bolts go into the hinge from the kick panel area under the dash. Not a handy spot to access while trying to hold up the hood.Marty Lum53 Buick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Ouch! Another good reason to own a 56 in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillBilly53 Posted February 8, 2013 Author Share Posted February 8, 2013 it would probably be near impossible to align the hinge to cowl bolt holes.yep, this is exactly what I was having trouble with. Gonna do it the way you and Marty suggest.Ouch! Another good reason to own a 56 in my opinion.Come on now, no need to get mean! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 LOL... I love the 50 - 53's!!! But I'm sticking with my 56 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FLYER15015 Posted February 9, 2013 Share Posted February 9, 2013 WillBilly,Could you put some undersized pins in the firewall bolt holes, so your "helpers" don't have to support the whole weight of the hood, while you crawl under the dash.OR could you put a bolt or two in backwards, just to support the hood, while you start a couple the right way ?Just something to ponder............Mike in Colorado Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WillBilly53 Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 That went a lot smoother than I thought it would. Definitely helped to have 2 other people. Thanks everybody for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 How bout a picture of the work crew fixing some flat tire? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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