Is the original fabric type hood lacing that is used on a 32 Ford radiator shell the same diameter as what is used on the cowl? I did purchase individual lacing kits for the cowl and radiator shell and they are the same diameter, the hood to cowl is fitting nice but the hood fit to the radiator shell is not good at all. It seems as the lacing is too large in diameter. This is a Rootleib hood and Brookville body and radiator shell. Thanks
I had the same problem with my Brookville body, shell and original hood top. I am using a self-addhesive black rubber tube seal on the shell until I find something that matches the cowl seal and fits like it should. Bob
Unfortunately the vendors that I know of are using the same stuff front and rear. I have run the pieces for the front thru a roller to flatten it a little, or used my BFH on the anvel to achieve the same results. To bad someone doesn't make the right stuff. I been struggling with the Rootlieb hood to Brookville roadster cowl on the last 1/2 dozen I've done. Actually cut the hood tops and sides on my origianl 3 window to achieve what we wanted. (see Fastlane Rod Shops website to see what Dave does to hoods on his projects)
There is only one manufacturer of the woven welting in the US. They only make some sizes of anti squeek material. The 32 ford actually takes an oval style welting that closely resembles the woven 3/8" round that is available today. The new style welting is blamed for a lot of fit problems but conforms to the grille shell and cowl curvature after a short period of time. The best suggestion is to run the welting thru a set of forming rolls to oval it before installing, this helps reduce the thickness at the corner turn downs. Most problems are encountered by builders that want a gap fit that was not designed into that car. Remember 32's were cheap slapped together cars in the middle of the Depression. The hood actually sets lower than the cowl and the grille shell line. An added problem is combining reproduction parts made at both ends of the tolerance spectrum, making it some what of a chore to align the belt line fit, but its not the welting that is the problem. At one time there was a reproduction oval lacing out that was marketed as 32 lacing and was oval shaped about 1/2" x 3/8" but this was way to stiff and would not conform to the channel.
Thanks Mr. Spadaro . I seem to have more trouble with hood and grill alignment than any other thing on a 32 . I seem to always forget how they were never perfect but the owner shure wants it that way .
Welting i've used is woven flat. Sounds like you guys are using a tube-like product? More a weather strip? I thought the original stuff is only about an 1/8th thck and maybe 3/4 or 1" wide of woven cloth/fabric more like a ribbon and lies flat
mr. spadaro, can you show a pic of the roller you talked about. i'm not sure i quit understand. thanks.
Ok I am wanting to install the original style Lacing on a Gibbons glass body. Has anybody done anything like that? i know i will have to drill some holes for the screws and the hook or i can cut the hook off the clip and just use screws but if someone has done this already coulsd you please explain what you done and if you have photos that would be appreciated.
i used the woven welt on my 32's. My solution was to used a large headed heavy hammer and gently smash the welt flat. After a few easy sits, it will flatten out and stretch , so do this 1st before you cut and attach the 2 rivets on either side. Then cut and attach clips so the connect on the SHORTEST of the 3 lower grille slots. After a day or so, you should be able to stretch it to the 2nd slot .....which will flatten and thin it out to get a better grille to hood fit. V
I used the repro welting on my RPU. I just stretched it around the cowl and grille shell and held it with a small screw on the bottom with a stainless end to hide the frayed ends. A couple dabs if rubber cement keeps it from moving as the cowl has no groove to hold it in place. Mick
VROD64 and Lurker Mick Thank both of you for some insight on this i have been trying to figure out a good way to do this. I had the rubber lacing on the car before but after a while it would move and my hood ended up rubbing all of the paint off my frame just behind the grill shell. i was looking at it the Gibbons body has a raised section with a lip on the front and a valley behind it putting the repro welting in the valley lets the hood sit almost perfect but putting the welting on the grill shell really forced the hood out, looks like i will have the break out the big sledge hammer and try my luck at it. Thanks agian Hope to see ya on the road one day
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