OK, looks like everyone with a 52-54 Ford or Merc has ****py-*** hood hinges. I did too. Now I only have one ****py-*** hood hinge, and one BROKEN one. Damnit! I was noticing the hood was kinda wonky again (I'd replaced the missing rivet to the air-box with a bolt, and it had been fine for a while) Opened the hood again, and noticed a hairline crack in the bottom of the hinge, on the spring-end, not where I'd worked on it. "Damn," I thought. Had to head home, so I closed the hood and heard a loud "TINK" and knew what I'd see when I opened her back up. Yeah, the bottom's gone. Woohoo. :| Apprently the hinges are made of unobtainium, because I haven't been able to find any. Are there any alternatives? I saw some EZ-lift company for fat-fendered Fords some time ago, but nothing for my red-headed stepchild of a car. Why couldn't I have just bought something easy, like a '57 Chevy?! Anyway... I'm open to any and all suggestions. I'd even do a tilt or something if it'd work. Lift off? Whatever! I just want something that's going to open, hold, and close efficiently. And I'd like to do it sooner than later, because I'm just about ready to paint. Any ideas at all, let me know.
Someone has to have figured out and alternative! These have to be one of the worst designs EVER! I have a 53 Merc, it had a bad hinge and a weak hinge. Found a NOS hinge and put it on (which requires taking the whole damn fender off!) and now one side closes o.k. but the weak side won't hold the hood down tight. I'm watching this thread hoping someone has an answer. I'm sure there are a lot of Fords and Mercs with this problem.
Yeah, I reckon it wouldn't be so bad if they were hard to replace OR a **** design. The combination of the two makes for a pain.
On my '54 the rear of the hood does not close down tight with the cowl and fenders, I can push it down tight but if I drive at freeway speeds it raises back up. Is that what you guys see with yours ? I've looked at the hinges and they don't appear to have worn parts on them.
Well, my corners don't ley flat, but I guess that's because they're bent, because THE DAMN HINGES ****. But I guess I could go back to living with ****y hinges, rather than having one broken one now. I'm seriously thinking flip/tilt hood now. I see a "kit" from autoloc. It's too much money, but so are 52-54 hinges, and that's when you can find them, and best case scenario, even if NOS, is that they **** as bad as the day the rolled out of the factory.
I understand that this guy repairs the 52-54 hinges - Rowland Hall, Burbank CA 818-845-3574. I have not done any business with this guy so have no info about him. Luckily, the hinges on my 54 are pretty good. These are pretty hard to find, and when you do they go for pretty big bucks.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/member.php?u=742 Give Cal a try. I got a pair of hinges from him for my 53 Merc. Also got a door for a buddies 54 Ford. Cal is fair with his prices, quick with the shipping, and a Hamber, too!
The Jalopy Journal
