I am repairing a hood at work for a customer of mine the hood is a reproduction and thin gauge metal the hindge channels have seperated from the top panels. It looks like the two sides bind when laying the hood over onto the other side. I was able to fix one side but the other channel was already repaired at least once and it is too far gone. Where would I look to find a replacement hindge channel?
The hinge grooves on a 32 hood are part of the hood panels, and I've never seen anybody selling them separate. Probably not available. I have found repro hood center hinges (the stainless part) don't operate as smoothly as originals. That may be the cause of your problem. Or maybe the thin hood was also poorly formed. I never lay the hood over on the other side. Buy one of those hood holder arm thingies that bolt onto the radiator rods. Very handy.
this is a cheap repro hood the hindge grooves are seperate and have a lip that is only 1/4" wide they're spot welded on with 1/8" diam plug welds, very cheesy. When the hood is layed over the center strip binds and the spot welds are stressed I told the owner he won't be able to lay the hood over any more. Now I have to find out who made it so I can get a new channel
With labor rates as they are,and a poor quality hood to start with,a call to ROOTLIEB may be the cheapest and best solution. Warranty work after repairs will eat your lunch,and the owner is still not pleased.
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