Hood Alignment - Middle sits too low need to adjust

[Mach 307]

Hey guys, I need to adjust my hood a bit. I noticed it was hitting the latch in the center here, and confirmed it after touching up the paint, and it scuffing it.

I’ve read a few threads about this being an issue, is this thread linked below accurate on how to adjust it? Or should I just mess with the latch right away? I can tell it sits too low.
Thanks.

Linked thread: https://www.mustang6g.com/forums/threads/hood-rubbing-or-alignment.130082/post-2686575

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[Johnny maverick]

Adjust it in tiny increments. If the hood is resting on the left and right hood stops the hood center is being dragged down you might be able to get it right straight away. If you start raising the center catch and the hood lifts off the stops while latched it might take some manipulation of the panel. Doesn't seem like you need much adjustment to get what want.

 

[Mach 307]

Adjust it in tiny increments. If the hood is resting on the left and right hood stops the hood center is being dragged down you might be able to get it right straight away. If you start raising the center catch and the hood lifts off the stops while latched it might take some manipulation of the panel. Doesn't seem like you need much adjustment to get what want.

I’m glad it’s easy and just turning some rubber bump stops!

 

[Johnny maverick]

I would leave the left and right bumps stops alone the hight looks good. If the center latch is too low and its pulling the center down after the side bump stops makes contact it will give you the gap you're experiencing. I would loosen the latch and raise it so little you barely think you moved it. Torque it back down and try it there. The center only should raise ,not the sides. If the whole thing goes up evenly across left to right and is off the bump stops it's going to take a little more aggressive approach to match the contour of the header panel. If you saw how the guys forcefully adjust some of theses at the factory you would cringe. This is when I tell the customer to come back later. Lol

 

[Mach 307]

I would leave the left and right bumps stops alone the hight looks good. If the center latch is too low and its pulling the center down after the side bump stops makes contact it will give you the gap you're experiencing. I would loosen the latch and raise it so little you barely think you moved it. Torque it back down and try it there. The center only should raise ,not the sides. If the whole thing goes up evenly across left to right and is off the bump stops it's going to take a little more aggressive approach to match the contour of the header panel. If you saw how the guys forcefully adjust some of theses at the factory you would cringe. This is when I tell the customer to come back later. Lol

Tried the bump stops first and still had the same issue, so I went and got a 1/4 ratchet and socket set to adjust this tomorrow. I aligned the bump stops to the height of a quarter back to where they were after messing around with them.

 

[Wraithracing]

Another option would be to place a washer or two under the striker on the hood to lower that towards the latch assembly. If you get I believe 6mm washers they are tight to the diameter of the studs and will probably not be noticeable once installed. This option might be quicker and easier than adjusting the latch. The latch can be tricky at times. Loosen too much and it moves all over the place, not enough you get no adjustment. Getting the nuts loosened just right is a trial and error if you haven't done this before. Good Luck!

 

[Mach 307]

Is there a “correct” height for the hood bump stops that I can use as a reference?

 

[Wraithracing]

Correct height is what allows the front leading edge of the hood to sit even/level with the fenders. Depending on your hood that might be where one side sits a little higher to push against the hood because the side is low and the other side the hood just barely touches the bumper because the hood already sits even/level.

I went through all of this when I put an OEM GT350 hood, fenders, and front bumper cover on my 21GT The hood had a slight tweak upwards on the passenger side. I constantly had to bend/curve/roll the hood itself to get it to sit properly. It now barely touches the hood bumper and the driver side pushes up slightly on the hood to bring it even/level with the fender. The latch was adjusted so that a light drop from about 8-12 inches high and the hood latches every time.

Don't over think it, honestly a very crude system that Ford has used since the 60's on Mustangs.

 

[Mach 307]

Correct height is what allows the front leading edge of the hood to sit even/level with the fenders. Depending on your hood that might be where one side sits a little higher to push against the hood because the side is low and the other side the hood just barely touches the bumper because the hood already sits even/level.

I went through all of this when I put an OEM GT350 hood, fenders, and front bumper cover on my 21GT The hood had a slight tweak upwards on the passenger side. I constantly had to bend/curve/roll the hood itself to get it to sit properly. It now barely touches the hood bumper and the driver side pushes up slightly on the hood to bring it even/level with the fender. The latch was adjusted so that a light drop from about 8-12 inches high and the hood latches every time.

Don't over think it, honestly a very crude system that Ford has used since the 60's on Mustangs.

Would you recommend I actually torque the nuts back down or just go hand tight?

 

[Wraithracing]

IF you have adjusted the latch to where you are satisfied with the hood I would torque them to specs. If you are still adjusting the latch I would recommend back the nuts off no more than 1/2 turn and see if the latch can be moved slightlly for adjustment. If not then I generally go in 1/4 turn increments until I tap the latch and get it to move slightly in the direction I need. Then I hand tighten the nuts snuggly and test the fit of the hood. Rinse and repeat until you are satisfied with the fitment of the hood, then tighten the nuts to specs.

Small adjustments on the latch are preferred otherwise you can quickly and easily get way out of whack and start all over again. Hope that answered your question.

 

[Mach 307]

IF you have adjusted the latch to where you are satisfied with the hood I would torque them to specs. If you are still adjusting the latch I would recommend back the nuts off no more than 1/2 turn and see if the latch can be moved slightlly for adjustment. If not then I generally go in 1/4 turn increments until I tap the latch and get it to move slightly in the direction I need. Then I hand tighten the nuts snuggly and test the fit of the hood. Rinse and repeat until you are satisfied with the fitment of the hood, then tighten the nuts to specs.

Small adjustments on the latch are preferred otherwise you can quickly and easily get way out of whack and start all over again. Hope that answered your question.

Yes that about answers my question, so essentially back off the nuts as little as possible to get movement of the latch and then back to hand tight, test fit it closed, then torque to spec once satisfied. Is there anything I should be measuring to know it’s correct? Just when the bumper and hood sort of slope the same way? As marked by the blue lines. If that makes sense.

Also do you recommend removing the radiator cover or leaving it?

 

[ORRadtech]

Torque is only 80 inch pounds. That's like 6.5 foot pounds. That's not a lot. You'll probably over tighten it by hand if you're not careful.

 

[Mach 307]

Torque is only 80 inch pounds. That's like 6.5 foot pounds. That's not a lot. You'll probably over tighten it by hand if you're not careful.

I’m going to pickup a 1/4in torque wrench tomorrow to be sure!

 

[Mach 307]

Also noticed it’s hitting slightly here on both sides :/ I know this has more to do with the bump stops, but hoping that adjusting the latch will help sort this out too. I just don’t know how to know if it’s still hitting or not, maybe shaving cream.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Go to your local dept store, craft store, dollar store, and go to toys section; get silly putty and use it as a marking reference…

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