The “Weight” Has Begun
 

Thought I would post this thread on my efforts to take the cursed bow out of my Formula hood. I meant to do this back in November after MCACN but just kept putting it off. Finally got around to it last weekend and plan to leave the weight in place during all the down time between this year’s events and cruise nights. I figure it should be better by the time I take it to Pontiacs in Pigeon Forge and the TA Nats this summer.

So, to start, here are some photos of the gaps on both sides and between the front of the hood and the header panel. The gap on the passenger side is the worst. The top of the hood is 9/16” higher than the top of the fender.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...8d8736a597.jpg

On the driver side, the top of the hood is 3/8” above the top of the fender.
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...cb13156ebc.jpg

At the header panel, the gap is 1/4”
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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9e00ad907f.jpg

I decided to leave the hood attached on the hinges to support the rear of the hood. I placed some lumber across the top of the core support and braced it so that the hood can rest on it and be supported at the front. The hood is free to move forward as it flattens out.

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Next, I purchased six bags of all purpose sand,each weighing 42 pounds.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...fc9304d919.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...36d59230ab.jpg

After covering the hood with a couple cotton bed sheets and a moving pad blanket, I placed the bags of sand on the hood as shown.

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...86296c17c4.jpg

Check out the arch in the edges of this hood!

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b6f3364057.jpg

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With the a total of 252 pounds of sand on it, I’m hoping it will start moving back to where it began. I plan to monitor it over the next couple months and add weight if needed; may even crank it a couple times each week and let the engine warm up to give it some heat to enhance the process

So, let the “Weighting” begin!
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...99eafbc8ed.jpg

BJ




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Interested to see how well that works and how long it takes. I should do that to mine of of these years.

Is the steel reinforced inner strips that the hinges bolt to removable? No doubt they also gain a bow over the years to match, pulling down on the front of the hood to close only makes it worse.

They are riveted to the underside. One side on my Gramma car's hood has a crease/inverted buckle in it from the bend. Or maybe it is the cause of the bow itself? When the metal bar buckles and bends it pulls the hood with it. I guess some of these hoods needs the rivets removed and the bar flattened or maybe turned over and re-riveted back on.

Did you measure the before you added weight in blocked position and after weight added to see if the weight actually changed the hood bow?

Weighting...

Well documented research there, BJ. Hopefully it will provide a long term fix.

Cheers,
Tim

Mike, I did get the before measurements but forgot to check them after adding the weight. I had to be somewhere and was out of time. I'll check it today and compare. I didn't get the sense that the hood moved much at all. I also wonder how much weight the thing can hold without damaging it.


BJ

Thanks, don't push the limit...Looks too nice!

I've done something similar with two 50 pound canvas Light Stand Sandbags (Video Studio) on the car cover, I' also leave the hood unlatched.

Good luck but that kind of stuff never seems to work for me... This bumper didn't even budge...

http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...1&d=1520269503

HA!

Wouldn't recommend that method on a hood...

Metal strips
 

On my first 74 formula i replaced the strips with thicker metal.

X2 I don't have one so can't see the issue first hand but can't see the hood wanting to change shape from where it was already pulled to over 45 years. If, however, the steel frame can be removed safely and straightened or even beefed up then it will hold the shape automatically. Even if made a touch too straight, the bumpers along the fenders will hold the hood at suitable height and nose of hood pulls down to wherever the catch is holding it. You can add shims and washers under the catch to pull hood front down more, not as simple to lift it at that point, only the corners.

B.J. - That looks like it should do the trick. I want to see how this ends up too, as I have a little bow starting and want to nip it in the bud.

Dennis

Formula Hood
 

Hello BJ just wondering how the Hood project is doing? Any improvement with the gap yet.
Pat

Just saw this post. Wish you a lot of luck BJ. I tried the something very similar on a trunk lid a while back. Left it for 8 months before getting the car ready for paint. It got about a 1/16" better, wasn't worth the effort. Maybe you'll have better luck.

Hey guys, thanks for checking in. I have not touched the car since posting this thread other than to periodically check to be sure nothing was amiss. It has been two months now and the old Mark One Eyeball says nothing has moved. I will check it this coming weekend and maybe grab some more pictures. I have a few things that I need to get done on the car before making the trip to Pontiacs at Pigeon Forge in June, so it is time to get the cover off and get busy.

Thanks,
BJ

"The Weight", a good one........ good luck & this will be interesting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjCw3-YTffo

also, I can't help but wonder if somehow heat could be used as part of process (w hood removal of course)