Hi Guys! Anybody out there ever have problems with a rootlieb 4 pc on a real 34 5 window or any body style , at the cowl (radius) and belt moulds? These tops do not seem wide enough. Thanks
I have a 34 five window with a stock hood.I don't know about the Rolieb fit but, it seams to me that 5 windows and sedans are a little high in the cowl area. Driverside more so than the other side. The radius above the belt line is too high. I've noticed a few cars with the same fit issues. I'm glad that you mentioned it so maybe we can get it figured out... Smokey
I've had a Rootlieb hood on my 3 window for years, and it fits fine. It is the only repro metal part on the car.
Maybe people would be more inclined to respond if they were more familiar with the man and his work. Check out this thread: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=246572 Doug Marshall is a professional panel beater with skills second to none. I met and talked to him some years ago at Waterdown. I spent a long time looking at a '36 (ish?) three window coupe he'd done. Serious chop, new door and top skins, entirely new deck lid and tail, etc, etc. The work was absolutely breathtaking in bare metal, and the welding all done with a Henrob torch, IIRC. He struck me as a humble, gee-whiz kinda guy. I know a few guys who've had work large and small done by him, everyone speaks very highly of his work and his manner of doing business. An old school master craftsman. And in case you're wondering, I have no connection to him, other than being a big fan of his work.
We had a 34 1 peice top that we had to split just above the bead at the rear and add 1/4" to 0" (wedges) in each side to get it to fit correctly. Front fit real nice just not big enogh in the back.
I put a Rootlief 4-piece hood on my '34 5-window and had problems with the fit at the passenger side top of the cowl. The radius of the hood edge had to be "tweaked" a bit and I had to compress the thickness of the cowl welting to get it to look decent. It sure doesn't fit as well as my original hood that unfortunately got destroyed when the NSRA Safety Inspection tent collapsed on it at Louisville in 2005.
I'm not trying to hi-jack this one, but this seems like the crowd who might know. Where can I find what ever it is that I need to mount my gennie 4-piece hood to the firewall and grille? I'm sure it's a rod and a couple brackets, but I can't seem to find anything in Mac's or the Early Ford Store catalogs. Maybe I missed it but I've looked a LOT. Thanks Now back to you're regularly scheduled thread...
Bob Drake has the parts. He now has the pieces in stainless as well as plated. They were in a sale catalog that came out last year.
Thanks all who replied. I've come to the conclusion that the fit problem must be inherent with the gennie cars and panels, as the cowl lacing witnesses. It is not high enough to flush the hood panels with the cowl top. Like Terrence I have added material to make the rear edge of the hood "large" enough. I guess in Reproville tweeking is, and will be, a fact of life! Thanks Doug.
The hoods,original or repop on a early Rord can fit great until you take it apart,,sometimes they fit like you took it of a tractor,,,it takes time with a 4 piece hood,,, I have see it take most of the day to get the hood to fit right,,,raise the radiator,,lower it,,,twist it right,,then left,,jack one side up,let the other side down,,,different body shims,,stack here ,remove there,,,get the picture,,, HRP
Useful thread - I was considering replacing my stock hood with a Rootlieb as it needs a fair bit of work to fix. Now I'll fix it - at least that way it'll have the correct dimensions.
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