40 Ford pickup question

I'd like to know what you guys are using to attach the hood top center stainless trim to the hood on a 40 Ford pickup. I bought clips, the only ones I'm aware of that are even close to working, which are from Carpenter. They aren't correct in that they will not stay "captive" in the stainless trim. In other words they aren't "wide" enough. I've attached a picture of the clip. Thanks!

 

Those look exactly like the factory ones I have.....maybe I'll try an measure them tomorrow if you want....

 

Look like the ones I just took off my 41 pu last wek!

 

cut a strip of metal just wide enough that it slides inside your trim strip.
Make a hole in it and weld a bolt in.
Use a stainless steel bolt and strip for maximum durability.

 

Oldrelics: That would be great! These repops just don't make it!

 

Yes, they look like factory clips, but are not dimensionally the same.

 

I think I know what you're saying, try to make them a little wider side to side so they stay in place?

 

That's a great solution, but unfortunately my hood is painted and ready to install.

 

Just like he said. These old style clips are a pain in the ***. You can make a WAY better clip. I never use the original style clips, they just wont stay tight.

Kevin
Ooltewah Speed Shop

 

I just ordered mine from Macs, looked just like that and worked fine. They do fit loosely in the trim until you get them snapped down, maybe that's where you're having a problem?

Speaking of Macs, while their prices and parts are OK, their 'customer service' is lacking, and their shipping is both overpriced and slow.

 

I cut a strip of stainless and drilled holes. You can use 10-32 machine screws. I didn't weld mine. Just hold the end when you tighten the nut. Then a drop of lock tight.

 

I don't think the issue is with the clips , I have encountered this problem with the reproduction hood center strips, They are made incorrectly, the bottom flange to wide. The clip fits the strip if you index the clip tang perpendicular to the hood. The problem is that the hood slots are punched parallel to the hood strip so indexing the clip in this fashion will make the clip to narrow and fall out of the wider hood strip track. Post #12 gives you the quick fix.

 

The problem is that the clips are too narrow-won't stay in the trim. As **** Spadaro said, maybe the real problem is with the stainless. Are you using a re-pop stainless trim piece? Curt

 

****, you could very well be correct about the stainless strip being too wide. Not sure what you mean by "indexing the clip tang perpendicular to the hood". My hood is ready to install, so drilling holes and going with a home-made cure probably is not on the table. Thanks for the input!

 

If this scan works I think that this will explain everything, Its not the clip, its the trim part mgf.

 

I got mine from Bob Drake, and the strip went on with hardly any swearing at all.