Technical Grill shell/hood alignment on my '34.

Whew. What a chore. It ain't perfect, but it's a damn site better than where I started. The first photo is the gap I had to start with, the last ones show where I am now, and there's a little wiggle room to even things up on final fitment. I ended up cutting two V shape relief cuts in the top of the grill shell at the base of the bulb (welt will cover it under the hood), pulling the sides in with a winch strap and welding the cuts. Much better, now on to the fun stuff!

 

look good, That is another reason not to run a hood! Ha!

 

I like Ford 34


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Any room left to adjust the radiator rods and pull it back a little? I have shortened a hood hinge a little to help this situation.

 

Yes, I already shortened the hinge 3/8", the hood can't go back against the cowl, the fit there is good. I can twist the shell a bit to the left, to even things up a bit, overall I'm happy now with the fit. Both splash apron fit nice, so I think I'm done! [emoji2][emoji106]

 

Looks good

 

I think you are too fussy. Wish mine fit that good. Wanna come for a visit?

 

LOL, I might like to escape the cold for a week in AZ come Feb., so you may be sorry you offered Bob!

 

NEVER you are always welcome.

 

I have read that it takes as long to line up the front sheet metal on these cars as it does to build the rest of the car!

 

3 days.

 

now you can take it all apart and add the body bushings and start the process all over again

 

I wish I had your problems....

 

When I was trying to align my 34 hood, I got as far as you did, then I stood back and really looked at it to find that the body line went up downhill to the back of the car. I had to raise the back of the car 3/4" to get the line right. Then start over on the hood and grille.

I guess that is the price you have to pay when you are trying to un-channel a 34

 

Ouch, that must have hurt. On the plus side, good thing you stood back and looked with a critical eye, and weren't afraid to start over! I worried about that, since this body was built from a floppy, un-reiforced, floor-less shell over 30 years ago, but the floor seems to been have installed correctly. The body lines look good, everything is going (I think) pretty well. I think the fact that it never wore a hood until I got it is making the job harder, but it's going together pretty well, listening to all you guys share your experience!

 

I have heard that these cars didn't even come from the factory with the hood perfect.

 

I guess you have figured out that the beltline reveal takes a nosedive at the cowl, to further complicate things. LOL