**Tech: Install a 32 hood on your 30-31 Model A**

Here’s a fairly simple mod that can really clean up the hood lines of your 30-31 Model A…install a 32 hood. I could find little to no info on this so I figured it might be a bad idea!
The ‘31 hood I have is pretty dented and the top hinge is all cracked up.
I gave Rootlieb a call and for 550.00 (hood top-250; custom length-150; louvers-150) plus shipping, they would make me a 32 style hood top for my Model a Coupe.
Well… I happen to have an old 32 hood top stashed away so I thought I’d try fitting it up. I wasn’t sure how the contour would match at the cowl but it looked pretty close and the stainless center hinge is a nice upgrade.
Here goes.

Here’s what I started with. Although I used a 32 frame, my wheel base is only stretched 1/2” longer than stock Model A length so the 32 hood is just about an inch too long.
The 32 hood is 32 inches long --- Model A hood is 30 7/16 inch long so if you stretched your wheel base more than 1 ½ inches, you’ll need to call Rootleib…sorry.



First thing is to make sure your cowl and grill shell are centered and square to the frame. Then fit the center hinge brackets. I bought these on ebay for 10.00 each. The front one is cast stainless, the rear one is steel so I could cut and weld it. I wanted it to sit next to the cowl band so it won’t creep forward. I stretched it about 1/8” and fabbed and welded a stainless stop to replace the one I cut off. That rear bracket is bolted to the original cage nuts inside the cowl allowing some side movement.



Mark the center of the cowl and grill, then cut and mount the center hinge to fit snug.



Next, cut the channels on the hood to fit between the stops on the hinge brackets. Be precise, the sloppier the gap, the more the hood will slide back and forth. Measure between the stops. It's 29" on mine. Yours probably will be different.



Now is the time to adjust the gap at the front. If you want to snug it up a bit, take a little off the front of the channel. If you’re happy with the front, take it all off the back.



Build up the cowl and grill shell channel with something to get up about 1/8” above the cowl lip. I used 4 popsicle sticks (about 3/8”).



Remove the front hinge bracket and slide the hood on. I did each side separately but you could do both at the same time. Bolt it back down.



Lay the hood down and scribe a cut line. I made this high tech scribe to do the job. Set the scribe at the front edge of the cowl band, I’ll fin tune the gap later. Note one side is already cut.



Now the scary part. Take it off and cut that gennie 32 hood!, I used plasma. You’ll lose the hem on the edge but it still seems sturdy enough.



Put it back on. The contour is just about perfect but the bottom edge is too low. I used a string to line up the body bead. (Note, that the top pic is already sectioned and finished but I'm using it to show the contour fit to the cowl.)



I cut the hood above the bead to leave ½” flat so grinding the weld would be easier. I removed about 15/16”.



Putting it together using panel clamps made from an older HAMB tech article.



All welded and ground. I was really amazed how perfect the contour of the hood looks against the cowl band with no reshaping at all! It’s being held down with a rubber bungy cord for now.









Lastly, you’re left with a thicker body bead on the bottom edge. I was originally planning on sectioning it to match the Model A body bead (and may in the future). I’ve decided for now to leave it as is and will paint the bottom edge flat black to look like a shadow. Here’s a pic with black electricians tape…look good to me.



I still have to fine tune the rear gap. It’s a little tight in back but overall I’m pretty pleased. Here’s a shameless plug for our contest sponsor. Thanks Shane and Baileigh Industrial.

 

You running hood sides?

 

thanks for posting, looks super clean!

mike

 

Nice work...looks good on there.

Neal

 

Great idea!

 

Wasn't planning on it mainly because I don't have any 32 sides. If I run across some decent ones, I'd probably use them. Then I would have to address that thick body line for sure.
Here's a pic of a nice coupe with full 32 hood...looks killer. I'm thinking this might be a gennie 32 hood.

 

looks good.. the 32 and 34 are my fav rad shell shapes.. you did good.
id try to make it my self too than pay 600.00.. and if i failed then id pay.
chris.

 

Wow!

 

Nice work. That A is looking awesome.

 

How will you keep the hood locked down at the edges???

 

That looks awesome! You're doing pretty much what I'd like to do... I'd love a '32 but finances being what they be and all... Thanks for posting this!

 

There's a set of 20 louver hood sides from YANKEE MIKE in the classifieds for $150. I would like to scoop them up but I'm on a spending freeze right now while I'm working on my '35.

Great tech!!!!

 

Here's a link to some great ideas. I'll probably do something like 32 Barn Car did. Here's some pics of his...unless I grab some hood sides, then it will latch on the frame as usual.


http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=356901&highlight=32+hood

 

Hey, thanks for the tip. I missed that. PM sent

 

Neat post. I just picked up a 32 Chevy hood the other day and I'm looking at installing it on my A coupe.

 

Nice work! I love the center hinge on those!

 

bttt

 

Now that looks great......

 

Great job !