1952-59 Ford hood is stuck open

So I am in the process of doing the mock on my 53 customline and I put the hood on and went to close it and the hinges won't budge. I tried tapping them with a hammer because everything is in bare metal and I'd rather not spray a silicone based lubricant anywhere near the car. The hinges/airbox were bead blasted and blown dry. Any suggestions?

 

DO NOT apply force to them!! They can break or tweak easy and they don't come cheap for replacements.Remove the hood and pack some shop rags underneath them and lube them with PB Blaster and work the hinges by hand till they free up.If you do not have a 52-54 Ford Shop manual GET ONE! There are several adjustments that are required that are explained in the manual also it is mandatory you use the correct bolts and washers or it will jam up and the adjustments as explained in the manual will not stay in place.1952-54 Ford hoods if not done correctly may break the hood hinges,and may fly up by unlatching and cause some nasty damage as well as a pants full of brown matter if you are traveling down the road at 60+ The shop manuals are now available on ebay on CD for around $30.our member Retro Jim has the parts manual on CD available for under $10 which has excellent exploded views of the entire components of a 49-59 Ford and all the part numbers.

 

Just got the manual out. I'm going to wait til tomorrow and have somebody help me take the hood back off and work them by hand like you suggested Jeff.

 

Just got the manual out. I'm going to wait til tomorrow and have somebody help me take the hood back off and work them by hand like you suggested Jeff.

 

Are you using the shoulder bolts which were stock?

 

I used the bolts that came off the hood but they weren't in there tight and they were the wrong ones. I have the new ones ordered so hopefully they'll be here soon.