Fiberglass disappointment

-
khuebner250

khuebner250

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2005
Messages
874
Reaction score
843
Location
Windsor, CO
Ordered hood and bumpers, boxes showed up okay no damage. Went to the body shop today to look at fitment and this is what we have. I can't think this is typical. Aren't all A body hinges the damn same. Extremely irked for 1000 in fiberglass.

IMG_20170318_101634294.jpg


IMG_20170318_101638146.jpg


IMG_20170318_101724128.jpg


IMG_20170318_101727686.jpg
 
Year model? Many factory hoods had a nut block floating in the hood assembly, fixed holes in the hinges. If a fiberglass hood does not, slotting the holes in the hinges would also provide adjustment.
 
RedFish said:
Year model? Many factory hoods had a nut block floating in the hood assembly, fixed holes in the hinges. If a fiberglass hood does not, slotting the holes in the hinges would also provide adjustment.
Click to expand...

68 notchback.
True about the floating backing insert on a stock hood, but the hole distance doesn't change. The mounting holes are molded into the fiberglass hood. As far as I know, all A body hinges are the same.
 
There was a guy on Facebook a while back that had the same problem with his hood. Looks like the same hood you have. He said the mounting holes on his hood were about an inch off so he had to drill holes in his hinges.
 
From what I have seen of fiberglass replacement parts you will be extremely lucky if that is the worst you have to deal with.
 
Distance bolt to bolt doesn't change but distance from edge of hood does or did.
And the later model hinges and bolt arrangement is different from earlier so 73 doesn't apply.
Back when I bought sheet metal parts ( 89 Accord front fenders 93 Lebarron front fenders for examples ) from aftermarket some of the bolt holes were placed wrong. so not just a fiberglass issue.
Slot the holes, line it up tighten it up, move on.
p.s. another way to look at it... If the bolt to bolt distance was correct, one would bolt the hold onto the hinges and find it didn't line up to the body. The only solution would be unbolt it, and slot the holes.
Their initial wrong spacing screams "Hey guess what? You'll need to slot some holes."
 
Last edited:
The hinge hole difference, while irritating, is no big deal. It is easily fixed with a drill and/or carbide bits. After drilling new holes/elongating existing ones in the hinges and adjusting the hood to your satisfaction you could always fill in any unsightly areas in the hinges with weld, grind them smooth and paint them. My MAJOR concern would be, "Does the hood fit?" If it fits the hole between the fenders well, then making the hinges look pretty is minor.
 
TrailBeast said:
From what I have seen of fiberglass replacement parts you will be extremely lucky if that is the worst you have to deal with.
Click to expand...

x2. That's normal. Just drill some holes and move on to the next step... Lining it all up... if you can.
 
TrailBeast said:
From what I have seen of fiberglass replacement parts you will be extremely lucky if that is the worst you have to deal with.
Click to expand...
Did anyone see the episode of Gas Monkey Garage when they were building that Judge GTO? The bought the elastomeric front bumper in fiberglass because they couldnt find a good real one cheap and the thing was like 2 inches too narrow? turns out it was for a funny car body. Ha, then they had to pay 4X for a real front bumper. I thought it was 'funny'.
 
That looks pretty freaking good installed. I think you got of light drilling one hole. There is always a prop rod....lightweight too.
 
Kegan B said:
Is it an Unlimited hood?
Click to expand...
Mine is an unlimited hood , just like yours. I was pleased it fit so well in the fenders.. Almost all aftermarket parts "if not all " need to be worked on, or massaged ,everything u do to a 48 yr old car is going to be that way! Get ready for it !
 
fit looks good guys , disappointing that the hinge bolt hole are off . but i have had to do alot of mods to direct fit race parts . it shape looks right and gaps aren't bad . hows the scoop , is it centered ?
 
I bought a six pack hood from AAR/Stinger late last year. The quality of the hood seemed decent, except the bolt holes were off. They agreed to take it back and (i thought), fix that issue. But instead when they got the hood back, they refunded my money. They said that they have never had any issues with the spacing, and have always made them that way. I just felt that I chose to spend my money with them because they have a decent reputation. VERY disappointed in the entire experience. I WAS going to offer to pay the return shipping back to me, but i never had the chance to offer.
 
unlimited = fiberglass garbage! the hood for my dart was / is so hideous its not funny. had to modify my hinges way more.
 
Maybe E-mail a link to this thread to them, this isn't a monumental thing for them to correct, & that is certainly an otherwise awesome looking piece. You shouldn't have to
"woller out" Your freshly painted-pristine hood hinge brackets to accommodate something so easily remedied as moving the insert 3/8" or so. As stated, they are all the same,
& I haven't seen any notable variation in hinge to hinge consistency.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top