"This Old Hood"

[MargaritavilleBuick]

Currently the hood on my 36-40 BC is in three pieces.  It appears the piano hinges came apart some time ago and none has opted to do anything about it.  I have tried to reconnect the pieces but apparently lack the dexterity to lock them back together.  Here is my question:

 

Is the hinge designed to separate the upper hood from the side vented panels?

 

If broken, is this repairable using available replacement parts?

 

Thanks,

Owen

Edited February 19, 2020 by MargaritavilleBuick (see edit history)

[pont35cpe]

The "piano hinge" has a rod(removable), sounds like yours is rusted together(no pivot) and broke off from the top or side panel from trying to get it to"fold" at the piano hinge.  Fix? May have to find a another hood.

[MargaritavilleBuick]

Can you provide a picture of an intact arrangement?  I may have to devise a way to fix...I am thinks a replacement hood will be too expensive or impossible to find.

[50jetback]

Always a problem on old cars.

 

The centre hinge is different to the 2 sides and is held together by the centre stainless strip - hopefully yours is not damaged or rusted. Soak it with WD40 or similar and see if the stainless strip slides off. This will split the top section of the hood into two easier to handle sides.

 

I have loaded a number of photos of a standard hood and a Century hood ( same but just 4" longer ) which should give you an idea of how it all works. The rod tends to rust solid in the hinge tags. 

 

The first problem is to remove the rod if it is rusted in place - a lot of soaking is required. In the past I have heated the tags and opened them up slightly with a wide bladed screwdriver but others here may have a better suggestion. 

 

Any tags that are broken off can be welded back on.

 

Study the photos and ask about anything you don't understand.

 

We are all anxious to see another 1936 back on the road.  

[Hubert_25-25]

Give the soaking with WD-40 a couple of days.  If you can move the hood, that is good too.  Try not to force it where you might break any hinge tabs.  Work the hood back and forth in small increments until movement starts to become easier, then you can make the movement a little more distance each time.  Do you have access to an air chisel?  Use one with a small rounded punch end.  Get a 6" piece of rod that is the same OD or just slightly smaller than the hinge pin.  Round both ends just slightly to prevent mushrooming using a grinder.  Lay the hood on a thick pad (blanket) on a table.   Have someone hold the hood.  Use the air chisel and the 6" rod and go back and forth on each end of the hood rod to try to get it to move.  Figure what size rod is in your hood, and get one (from online metals ) just one size smaller - even metric.  Once you have the rod moving in one direction or the other, you can start to force the slightly smaller rod to displace the existing hood rod.  The air chisel will set up vibration that should help remove the stubborn rod.  Hugh

[Robert Engle]

Once you get the rod to move chuck a drill onto the rod end and and spin it and pull out.  It worked on my 32 Buick.

 

Bob Engle

[MargaritavilleBuick]

Have let the WD-40 soak in a bit.  I now have a bit of play and will attempt to remove.  Still puzzled on how the upper hood and side panels lock together.  The upper hood has cupped receivers.  

[50jetback]

 

On 2/22/2020 at 7:42 AM, MargaritavilleBuick said:

Have let the WD-40 soak in a bit.  I now have a bit of play and will attempt to remove.  Still puzzled on how the upper hood and side panels lock together.  The upper hood has cupped receivers.  

 

 

Owen - the tabs on your upper hood appear to be sprung and opened up way to far.

 

Refer to the 1st photo I posted which is of the top panel. You will see the tabs are closed right up tight around the rod.

 

The side panel tabs interlock with the top panel tabs and you then drive the rod in from the end.

 

 

Edited February 23, 2020 by 50jetback (see edit history)

[MargaritavilleBuick]

That makes sense.  Thanks..

[MargaritavilleBuick]

On 2/19/2020 at 9:39 PM, 50jetback said:

Always a problem on old cars.

 

The centre hinge is different to the 2 sides and is held together by the centre stainless strip - hopefully yours is not damaged or rusted. Soak it with WD40 or similar and see if the stainless strip slides off. This will split the top section of the hood into two easier to handle sides.

 

I have loaded a number of photos of a standard hood and a Century hood ( same but just 4" longer ) which should give you an idea of how it all works. The rod tends to rust solid in the hinge tags. 

 

The first problem is to remove the rod if it is rusted in place - a lot of soaking is required. In the past I have heated the tags and opened them up slightly with a wide bladed screwdriver but others here may have a better suggestion. 

 

Any tags that are broken off can be welded back on.

 

Study the photos and ask about anything you don't understand.

 

We are all anxious to see another 1936 back on the road.  

How many 36s survive today?  Is their a register?

[MargaritavilleBuick]

Working with the hood hinges again.  Here is a shot of the hinge receivers along the top portion of the hood assembly.  Not sure if these have been stretched or if they are supposed to be saddled.  Any pics from a completed hood would be much appreciated 

[pont35cpe]

Owen, here is a picture of my extra hood panel, not together with the side panel. Maybe you can see what you need to do.  Tom

Edited February 29, 2020 by pont35cpe (see edit history)

[MargaritavilleBuick]

All I know to do it heat them and roll them back around the rod.  The metal doesn't want to bend with standard tools and I don't want to screw up the rest of the hood.

[MargaritavilleBuick]

On 2/19/2020 at 9:39 PM, 50jetback said:

Always a problem on old cars.

 

The centre hinge is different to the 2 sides and is held together by the centre stainless strip - hopefully yours is not damaged or rusted. Soak it with WD40 or similar and see if the stainless strip slides off. This will split the top section of the hood into two easier to handle sides.

 

I have loaded a number of photos of a standard hood and a Century hood ( same but just 4" longer ) which should give you an idea of how it all works. The rod tends to rust solid in the hinge tags. 

 

The first problem is to remove the rod if it is rusted in place - a lot of soaking is required. In the past I have heated the tags and opened them up slightly with a wide bladed screwdriver but others here may have a better suggestion. 

 

Any tags that are broken off can be welded back on.

 

Study the photos and ask about anything you don't understand.

 

We are all anxious to see another 1936 back on the road.  

If you are willing to part with the damaged chrome insert, I am needing a piece to fabricate some missing shorter pieces that have fallen out along the way.