Hood Lifting At Driver Corner - Hinge Issue? 1970 Dart Swinger 340

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Swinger Ron

Father/Son - 1970 Dodge Swinger
Joined
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Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
The corner of the back hood on the drivers side has lifted what appears over night as seen in the photo. We loosened the hinge bolts to the hood while pushing down than re tightened. Helped a little but still way out. We removed the splash guards to have a look inside the fender at the hinge. nothing seems out. I have no experience with hinges or seen the mechanics of how they work. Would love to see a video on there installation to know what I am looking for and tips on adjustment. Typically we do not slam the hood and use the two hand method with a quick push to close.
Thanks,
Ron

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A bodys typically do not have problems with hood hinges wearing. E bodies are notorious for it because the hoods were so long. Looks to me like you just need to readjust the hood. The bolts were probably not tight enough and it slipped.
 
A bodys typically do not have problems with hood hinges wearing. E bodies are notorious for it because the hoods were so long. Looks to me like you just need to readjust the hood. The bolts were probably not tight enough and it slipped.
I got the same hood on mine. Doesn't look like there's a whole lot of adjustment.

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I had this problem, the mounting point where the hinge bolts to the hood became weak and needed to be reinforced. I kept adjusting it weekly for probably a year before I finally got tired of doing that and removed it to properly repair it.
 
The hinge mechanism is quite simple, the arm is attached to a pivot, and has a clock spring that provides the lift, really nothing there that needs a lot of lubrication. Where the bolts attach to the hood, there is a threaded bar that is caged inside the hood and is able to move some to allow for adjustment. The area around the attachment point can become weak and stress cracked, allowing it to migrate up under the pressure of the spring.
 
The hinge mechanism is quite simple, the arm is attached to a pivot, and has a clock spring that provides the lift, really nothing there that needs a lot of lubrication. Where the bolts attach to the hood, there is a threaded bar that is caged inside the hood and is able to move some to allow for adjustment. The area around the attachment point can become weak and stress cracked, allowing it to migrate up under the pressure of the spring.
Well, that's a bummer. I hope it can be easily fixed!
And I hope my hood isn't the next one.
 
There is quite a bit of adjustment on the hood because the nut bracket floats inside the hood. But like said, if your hood has developed cracks in the bracing no amount of adjustment is going to help. Personally I have never seen them crack before.
 
Well here is what I noticed last night. I am not sure if it came from re-tightening the screws or the root of the problem. Either way looks like my FAB guy has a little tedious work to fix the crack! I actually hope this is the problem and nothing down low in the fender. I appreciate everyone's comments and experience on this.

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Well here is what I noticed last night. I am not sure if it came from re-tightening the screws or the root of the problem. Either way looks like my FAB guy has a little tedious work to fix the crack! I actually hope this is the problem and nothing down low in the fender. I appreciate everyone's comments and experience on this.

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I'm really thinking that is your problem.
Congrats on not having to go into the fender!
 
Well here is what I noticed last night. I am not sure if it came from re-tightening the screws or the root of the problem. Either way looks like my FAB guy has a little tedious work to fix the crack! I actually hope this is the problem and nothing down low in the fender. I appreciate everyone's comments and experience on this.

View attachment 1715368491

There is nothing inside the fender that can do that or be adjusted.
You found it.
 
Well here is what I noticed last night. I am not sure if it came from re-tightening the screws or the root of the problem. Either way looks like my FAB guy has a little tedious work to fix the crack! I actually hope this is the problem and nothing down low in the fender. I appreciate everyone's comments and experience on this.

View attachment 1715368491
Looks almost exactly the same as my hood did, a good welder/fabricator should be able to repair that fairly easily, hope the paint doesn't get messed up in the process like mine did.
 
I dont see any way to fix that without some paint being involved. Also, you may have rust there which is why it was weak and cracked. If the hood was stored on its end they collect dirt and moisture there and rot them out. I had to re-skin my hood because the bottom brace was swiss cheese.
 
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