Technical DELETE - Got it thanks Guys

Any of you guys have some tech suggestions on ***embling the nose on my 1940 Ford Convertible (coupe probably same) is it easier to bolt the front together less hood and then put it on car or do it in pieces any suggestions appreciated Tom

 

I would suggest fit hood to body first so it closes nicely and then bolt rest together.

 

Back in the '70s I was having trouble getting front of my 39 coupe back together and looking right. A friends father suggested I talk to an older body guy that he knew. This guy told me to get the hood so that it fits the cowl and then fit the fenders to the hood. It went together nice doing it that way.

 

Both posts are what has been said many times on Fordbarn.

 

These Home Made Adjusters Will Help Bring The Grille And Fenders To The Hood...Rubber Biscuits Below...

 

As said, hood to cowl fit then the remainder. Many times the front fenders/clip will need to be moved a bit right or left-sometimes as much as 3/8"-done many

 

I can't add to what has already been posted, other than be patient.
So, you know now we're going to want to see pictures of your convertible.

 

Be sure to read all this front end info.written by Mike Kubarth (KUBE) on Fordbarn. He professionally restores 1940 Fords to AACA standards. He is an expert.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=316590

 

There are a lot of good articles on the HAMB if you do a search or google search. I have been squirrelling away information on aligning the 1940 Ford hood, grille and fenders.
This a link I saved on the Fordbarn.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236597&highlight=hanging+40+sheet+metal
From the HAMB
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/40-ford-hood-clearance-problems-any-help.1027483/
Early Ford Mike Kubarth again
https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=14&Topic=1512
Attached is the write up PDF that someone posted on here years ago by Frank Oddo on the alignment of a 40 Ford hood and fenders.

 

Here is a second write up on the 40 Ford hood & fenders alignment. There is a lot of excellent support on the HAMB if you post pictures along with your questions.

 

@olscrounger knows what he is talking about. Anything he says about a 40 take note of it.

First fit the hood to the cowl, and tighten the bolts. That dictates everything else. Then loosely put on the inner fender the fender support yoke. Once those are on, then loosely put the fenders and grill in. Once the front end is all loosely on you can shift the fenders around to get the best fit.

one question. I’ll s this all the sheet metal the car was born with? If not it can be a real pain. Some of these old panel vary way more than you think they would. I spent 3 weeks getting the front sheetmetal alligned on 39 deluxe once. Involved cutting and welding fender to hood edges to make it nice and tight. But every part was from a different car. Took me an afternoon to align the front end on my 39, but it has all its original front sheet metal.

 

OMG, tell me about it! Not to mention old repairs that have thrown another bunch of shape discrepancies into the mix.

 

Hopefully your car isn't painted yet, as it might involve some surgery for the best fit. On most every Standard I've seen, the hood spreads wide on the rear lower sides. On my sedan I sliced and pulled those sides in for the correct gap, then welded them as I was sitting under the closed hood.

I think this spread is caused by hoods sitting off the car for years, or maybe the lifting springs put pressure on those giant U braces and spread them over time. You never see the spread on factory pictures.

 

Question...If time allows, I would like to put the hood on my '40 this fall. I did do a trial fit a while ago. It didn't look to bad. Do you guys think I should still start by pulling the front?? FYI...everything is orignal to the car except the hood. Thanks, Gene.

 

Not to take away anything from post already but this article may help also.