Hood — removal, installation and adjustment
Note: The hood is somewhat awkward to remove and install; at least two people should perform this procedure.
Removal and installation
1. Open the hood, then place blankets or pads over the fenders and cowl area of the body. This will protect the body and paint as the hood is lifted off.
2. Disconnect any cables or wires that will interfere with removal. Disconnect the windshield washer tubing from the nozzles on the hood.
3. Make marks around the hood hinge to ensure proper alignment during installation (see illustration).
i. 3 Draw alignment marks around the hood hinges to ensure proper alignment of the hood when it’s reinstalled — arrows indicate the hinge-to-hood retaining bolts
4. Have an assistant support one side of the hood. Take turns removing the hinge to hood bolts and lift off the hood.
5. Installation is the reverse of removal. Align the hinge bolts with the marks made in Step 3.
Adjustment
6. Fore-and-aft and side-to-side adjustment of the hood is done by moving the hinge plate slot after loosening the bolts or nuts.
Note: The factory bolts are a centering type that will not allow adjustment. To adjust the hood in relation to the hinges, these bolts must be replaced with standard bolts with flat washers and lock washers.
7. Mark around the entire hinge plate so you can determine the amount of movement.
8. Loosen the bolts and move the hood into correct alignment. Move it only a little at a time. Tighten the hinge bolts and carefully lower the hood to check the position.
9. If necessary, after installation, the entire hood latch assembly can be adjusted up-and-down as well as from side-to-side on the radiator support so the hood closes securely and flush with the fenders. Scribe a line or mark around the hood latch mounting bolts to provide a reference point, then loosen them and reposition the latch assembly, as necessary (see illustration). Following adjustment, retighten the mounting bolts.
i. 9 To adjust the hood latch horizontally or vertically, loosen these bolts
10. Finally, adjust the hood bumpers on the radiator support so the hood, when closed, is flush with the fenders (see illustration).
i. 10 To adjust the vertical height of the leading edge of the hood so that it’s flush with the fenders, turn each edge cushion (arrow indicates one) clockwise (to lower the hood) or counterclockwise (to raise the hood)
11. The hood latch assembly, as well as the hinges, should be periodically lubricated with white lithium-base grease to prevent binding and wear.