hood to cowling seal '41 '62'

[oldcarguy]

I am buying the cowling/hood rubber from steel. There is also a bumper for each side with a hole on each end for  mounting. Does anyone have a pic of where this mounts? I know the general area, but the existing holes don't seem to match the length of the bumper. Any pics would be appreciated! The bumper is 3 1/4 inches long.
Thanks everybody,
Don Ford

[oldcarguy]

Any help here folks

[Steve Passmore]

I still have a pair of these somewhere don that I bought 20 years ago for the first 41 I restored and could never find where they were supposed to fit. I have just checked both my 41s and they don't have them or any holes to fit them??

[oldcarguy]

Thank you Steve,
I'm thinking the bumper goes in the area down on the side where the cowl rubber ends. my '41has some holes there. Maybe to keep that part of the hood from flapping! Just a guess! But if your cars don't have them, maybe I don't need them!
If you can find those things, maybe take a pic and see if we are on the same page. {only when you have time}
And while on the hood subject, can one adjust the hood back toward the firewall by loosening the hinge bolts just a bit?
Thanks again Steve
Don

[Steve Passmore]

First of all Don we ARE talking about the same bumpers. I looked on 'Steeles' site and they are the same as the ones I have somewhere. I have three 1941s and I don't have any holes anywhere for these rubbers (maybe someone else can check) Interesting to note also that 'Steeles' quote "2 or 4 as required"    Maybe only certain series had them??

Hood adjustment. If you loosen those bolts the spring force will pull the hood brackets violently downwards. Before any adjustment the springs must be removed. Go very careful, they are dangerous things.

[oldcarguy]

Thanks Steve,
Someone else had warned me of that very thing! Guess I didn't realize the strength of those springs! That's why this forum is so important to us, it saves dummies like me from making mistakes that could be detrimental to ones health!
I'll just pass on the bumpers for now, and adjusting the hood too. But, how do you remove the springs safely, and put em back on?
Thanks for your help....
Don

[Steve Passmore]

I made up a tool for removing the springs Don. I think the service centres had a more sophisticated weapon but mine does just fine. It consists of a very strong steel channel with a hook on the end that I fabricated. This hooks to the bottom spring bracket and it levers under the chassis. Press down hard and unhook the bottom hook. Car has to be raised up as much as possible because the arc from fixed springs to released springs is huge.  Best on a lift.

[jackworstell]

See the attached from the Cadillac Serviceman.     I take this to mean that early 1941s did not have the bumpers and the factory suggested that early 1941s be retrofitted with them;  and that late 1941s came from the factory with bumpers

Jack

EDIT...forgot to attach the article for the Serviceman...here it is.

[oldcarguy]

Thanks Steve and Jack,
That bulletin sure cleared up the bumper mystery! thanks Jack...
Steve, I have a friend {car enthusiast also} who is a machinist and a great fabricator, he can make that tool like yours, so definitely the way to go!
Your help is greatly appreciated
Don

[Steve Passmore]

Thanks for that Jack.

[harry s]

Good info Jack. I have a pair of those that came with my '41 67 series but didn't know how they were installed. There were two holes on each side of my cowl but they didn't match up to holes in the bumpers. Thanks,    Harry

[oldcarguy]

Me too Harry, holes on the side but didn't match the bumpers, just couldn't figure out where they belonged...

Thanks again all

Don

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

Steve is just about right on his tool. There is a u-shaped channel somewhere down below the spring bracket that snugs against the cowl with a hole in it. Driil a hole in your lever  to match this hole and you will only have to move the spring down a couple of inches before you can swing it to one side or the other to release the spring. (Make the hole sloppy so you will have some slack.) By getting under the car you can see this, I am going on a decade or more's time since I've had my 41-62. The bracket and the hole are near the bottom of the car.

Also, when you start to do this, bring an old blanket out to the garage and wrap it around things so that if something comes loose, you will have some protection. Also, this is a time you should ask your wife to come out and watch "just in case." If she is like mine, she will say afterwards, "Is that all you wanted me to watch?"

But it's funny, that u-shaped deal with the hole in it appears like it was put there just for this purpose. I left out that you should put an eye-bolt on your lever to pull the hook on the spring down.

[Ron Parker]

I have joined the 41 Cadillac hood springs club. I made a tool that makes removing and installing them on my 41-61 easy.In the photos you should be able to see the measurements.It will bring the hook down on installation and it just falls in place. To remove it I use pliers to pull the hook out to keep my fingers out of trouble. The handle end could be 6" to 12" longer. The angle iron stop on the end rest against the inner frame rail and the spacing may be different for other models. I have already used it many times trying to make my hood fit right and I love it.

[Ron Parker]

I have figured out how to post photos now so here are the pictures of the spring tool. Ron Parker

[harry s]

Ron, You're right having the proper tool makes the job easy. I was admiring your engine detail, especially the heads. Looks great!    Harry