74 Dart Sport Hood Hinge help

[74desertduster]

I have the hood off my 74 Dart Sport because I was going to slot the bolt grooves in the hinges a little bit as I could never get the hood to go far enough forward. It still rubs the cowl when it is adjusted all the way forward.

Anyway, the hinges have lots of side to side play now that the hood is off. Is that normal?

Thanks

Brian

 

[pastortom1]

Yes. Very weird design. All of them I've ever seen flop wildly when the hood is off. :read2:

 

[74desertduster]

Wow...ok

Still don't know why I can't get the hood to move forward but I will grind the slots a little and see.

 

[limelite70]

from 70 to 72 they changed the design. some hinges are grooved and some have a straight hole drilled.
some hoods have sliding plates and some dont.

 

[74desertduster]

Well I ground a little out of each hinge slot but since I have the hood off I will take the time to clean underneath with SOS pads. 35 yrs of crap under there. Cleaning up nice though.