1937 coupe hood

[Rich Iannelli]

Hi,
I was removing the center molding from my hood and I found this rust. Are the two top sections connected from end to end? My hood has only the ends connected, nothing in the center.
Is it time to look for a replacement hood?
Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Rich Iannelli

[Steve Passmore]

You must join the ranks of us who have had to deal with this problem Rich. It's not a replacement hood you need, it's the just the centre strip core.   Your picture shows the outer stainless removed and the inner steel core rusted away. The steel core is separate from both halves of the hood.

The answer is yes, the core is connected down its entire length and yours is all gone. Like so many. 

I spent years looking for a replacement or for a machine shop that could fold a new one but without success. The metal folding is very, very complex, and if not done perfectly, will just not hold that hood together when opening it.      In the end I used what little good bits I could salvage from 3 different cores and tack welded each little piece. Another nightmare job as the slightest little bit of weld either fouls the hood or the stainless trim.
I have never come across a good one since. Hope you have more luck than I did.

[Rich Iannelli]

Thank you Steve for your advice. Looks like I will be searching for a new hood.

I found one in Canada with a complete center section but it is pricey.

Thanks,
Rich Iannelli

[Steve Passmore]

Thank you Steve for your advice. Looks like I will be searching for a new hood.

I found one in Canada with a complete center section but it is pricey.

Thanks,
Rich Iannelli

Problem is Rich, you will never know what the center section metal core is like until you dismantle it.