1937 Buick 8/40 Special hood fitment

[Robomac]

Hi Everyone,

I've been a member here since I got my car about 6 years ago, and being a Buick newbie, I have gained more help than I have been able to give - thank you all.

I have just collected my 1937 Buick 8/40 from the bodyshop where they repainted the L/H/F fender (mudguard) and the hood (bonnet). They told me they had trouble refitting the hood and so they "left it loose".

The problem is that both sides are now free to slide back and forward on the centre hinge (and have already taken some of the new paint off).

Looking at it I can't work out what stops/locates each side of the hood down the centre strip.

Any help here would be appreciated.

Also as I need to work on my own, does anyone have some tips on how to remove the hood single handed? I have a two post hoist (lift) in my shed which I was thinking I could use as my "muscle" and maybe some sort of sling under the hood.

Cheers, Rob

[MCHinson]

Assuming that the Holden Body uses the same hardware as the Fisher Body, Bob's Automobilia sells the mounting bracket hardware for the hood hinge. I restored my 1938 Century by myself. I did a lot of work by myself and only asked friends for help when I absolutely had to. I would suggest you get a friend to help. It is nearly impossible for you to lift that hood off by yourself without damaging more paint. With two people, it is easy.  

[Robomac]

Thanks Matthew,

I had a quick look at Bob's and didn't see anything under 1937. I'm trying to understand what stops the two sides sliding back and forward as they are doing now, but did not prior to the paintwork.

I'll enlist a second person to assist to remove the hood once I figure out what to do.

[Gary W]

Hi Rob!

That '37 hood needs some guys at the corners to safely remove and install with minimal paint damage.  It's heavy and unwieldy.

 

Your center hinge should have a hold down bolt inside the car behind your radio (if you have one) up under the cowl, and a second hold down up front at the radiator area.

 

When in position and the handle locked, the hood should grab in three places:  Cowl, Up front and center right under the handle.  My car did not have the front ones and it made it difficult to align until I found a set.

 

Unfortunately, the '37 hood panels do slide fore and aft and you have to watch and carefully open them.  I also got a small ding on my new paint not realizing those huge hood panels slide so easily down that center hinge.  

 

I was told that Buick corrected this on the '38 models with a small metal stopper at the cowl, but the '37's do not have this.  

Here's a photo of a 1938 sent to me, showing the metal part at the cowl to stop the hood from sliding back and banging into the cowl section:

 

 

 

My blog has a lot of hood information starting on page 24 and it continues on.  This issue was addressed.

The other big hood issue is the front alignment to the front clip and the adjustments made to line it all up right.

 

 

Here's some hood information from my site.  It starts before this though: (Touch the arrow on the upper right)

 

 

 

Good luck!  If I can help with anything, don't hesitate!

Gary

 

[Paul White]

HI Rob,

 

Hope you are well, when (and if) this current locked down is lifted I would be more than happy to come down and give you a hand.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

[Robomac]

Thanks Gary,

That is exactly what I was looking for.

My hood did not slide as freely prior to being removed. I think I will fabricate and install some stops to prevent anymore damage to the new paint.

It will have to wait until our current COVID lock down is over, so I can get some extra hands to come and visit.

Cheers, Rob

[Robomac]

9 hours ago, Paul White said:

HI Rob,

 

Hope you are well, when (and if) this current locked down is lifted I would be more than happy to come down and give you a hand.

 

Cheers

 

Paul

Hi Paul,

I'll give you a call when I'm ready for some 'heavy lifting'.

BTW - love your new project.

Cheers, Rob

[John Jacques]

Rob, I also experienced the same problem you're having. In reviewing the photo that Gary provided regarding the 38 rear hood stop, I basically did the same but to the front at the grille surround. I fabricated a stop and placed it under the front upper hood moulding hold down. I was able to do this fairly easy without any assistance, and without the need to remove the hood. Now, the hood opens and closes like it should. Hope this helps, and good luck.

Jakes

 

PS; the more hands to remove and install the hood, the better.

[Robomac]

Thanks for your reply and photo John. I think I will start at the front mounting and see if this solves my problem. With the amount that it now slides I may need to have one at the rear also. Your suggestion to start at the front is very helpful for a single handed bloke.

Cheers, Rob

[JeffH]

John,

 

Any chance for a clearer photo of what you did on your '38.  My '38 hood always works it's way forward, and I would like to fabricate a solution as you did.

 

Jeff

[John Jacques]

Jeff, attached is another photo of the stop, which is a 90 degree bracket. I drilled an oblong center hole in that bracket so that I could adjust it to prevent the hood from sliding onto the grill surround. I did not have any problem with the hood closing onto the cowl. If I had that problem I would have installed a similar bracket as pictured in Gary's photo above.  Hope you find this helpful.

Jakes

[JeffH]

Thanks!  I will give it a try.

 

Jeff

[Olds Karl]

Hi men need pics of what the hood rail hinge profile look like that the chrome slides over to hold the two hood halves together . I have a34 olds and need to replace the rails and Center trim and want to see is the 37 Buick pieces will match up 

thanks Karl 

[Olds Karl]

I can’t reply to Robomac since I’m a new member