Help with Hood Removal/Installation

[QuickWE4]

Hi All:

Once the weather turns cold, I'm going to have my hood repaired. there's a small dent in the crown of the hood by the header panel from somebody (not me) pressing down on the hood and closing it the wrong way. Very frustrating, since the car has very low miles.

Anyway, there ain't no way that I'm leaving the car at a body shop, so I intend on removing the hood and taking it to a body shop myself to have the problem fixed and painted.

How difficult is it to remove a hood? Can somebody walk me through the process a bit so I know what I'm up against? I'm not as worried about removing it as I am about installing it and lining it up....

Thanks in advance,
Rich

 

[TurboRegal84]

Rich....Its pretty easy...You just can't do it yourself....


Your best bet is to get 2 friends to give you a hand.

Before you do anything take a pencil and trace where the hood bolts up to the braket so that you can get the perfect alignment that you had before taking it off.

After that disconnect the hood light, and make sure its clear and won't get tangled up.

Then unbolt the top shock bolts, and then loosen the 4 bolts that hold the hood braket to the hood....before you remove the bolts all the way take out the (VERY small) sheet metal screws that are all the way in the back/side of the hood. (These are apain to get to, and difficult to get turns on, because they are almost behind the fire wall) As soon as you get those little ones out remove the 4 large bolts, and the hood should come out.


Don't even try to take it out yourself you will end up causing more damage!

 

[b231v6]

Your going to need help in removing the hood. My arms were'nt long enough to grab both sides. Seriously though when reinstalling the hood you can you the washer marks that where left behind when removed. It's an easy job just have someone with you to help because of bulkeness.

 

[QuickWE4]

OH, I would definitely have somebody helping me. I have long arms, but not that long

Herb: I'm not understanding something. I can't picture those tiny sheet metal screws that you're talking about.

So, basically you're saying that the brackets that the hood attaches to stay on the car, and I unbolt them from the bottom of the hood.

Ok, doesn't sound too bad....

Rich

 

[b231v6]

Their on both sides of the hood about 2 or so inches from the rear corners.

 

[zam70]

The little ones are on the SIDE of the hood, near the back corners. 7mm head I think and a PITA. Careful, don't scratch the fender!

 

[Nashty]

You CAN do it yourself, it's just stupidity to do it that way if you have access to help. I tape up the corners of the hood and fenders, place rags behind the hood rear corners and remove all bolts but on on one side (it is loosened) then remove other side. Don't ever let go of the hood, keep it supported up. Remove other pre-loosened bolt and set it down. Have blankets there to protect fenders and header panel. Now eat your Wheaties and power lift the hood up! Hope you put something on the ground to set it down on cause you're going to want to put it down in a hurry. I've had mine on and off 3 times by myself with NO scratches.

Be careful removing those little sheetmetal screws, they are only there to cause scratches during removal I think. Seriously, they are important so don't lose them either!

 

[GNandGS]

What? Not brave? C'mon, be a man!

On the '70GS I used to have I removed the hood myself... now THATS a hood. Imagine some wood, foam, coupla shirts, and a great big hood on the back of my <150lb HS frame.

No damage btw

S

All of the above are in jest. While the story is true it cannot be recommended as a proper method of hood removal.

 

[QuickWE4]

Well, I'm 6'4", but only weigh 180. Do the math. No way I could do it myself!

No, I'm definitely having help on this one.

Again, my reasoning is that I would rather bring just a hood to a body shop rather than the whole car.

Now, I just have to find a body shop I can trust...good luck on that one.

Rich

 

[GN ERGY]

I drill a #7 or 7/32 inch hole about a half an inch away from the top bolt on each hinge, and tap it with a 1/4 20 tap. Then take the hood off. When you go to put the hood back on get it lined up close and screw a 1/4 20 bolt in each hole you drilled and tapped before you took the hood off and it will line up PERFECT. Then put the hood bolts in, you should be in business. You can't rely on making marks around washes or the hinges because if the guy that paints it for you paints that area your marks are gone. We used to do this on our chevy trucks all the time and it lined up every time. I've also done this on my own GN that I'm getting painted right now.
Tarey D.