One more C1 hood question

[studiog]

I am missing one of the "nut plates" on one side of my hood. This is the metal plate, inside the hood, that the hood hinge bolts thread into to secure the hinge to the hood. I have tried several vendors and no one seems to have this part. Has anyone ever needed one of these? Thought I would ask around before I resort to fabricating one. Thanks all.
Gary

[John Mcgraw]

Studiodog,

You probably have not lost the plate, it just probably just slid out from under the retainer and is floating around inside the hood edges somewhere. It is impossible to remove or replace the plate with the hood skin on! I have had to fish several of these plates back into position, and it is a tedious job! Once you locate the plate, shake the hood to get it into position where you can insert a magnet through the holes in the hood and grab it. You can then slip it back into position inside the little "U" shaped strap that holds it in place. Once you get it in place, insert a bolt that has the head cut off of it to keep it from falling out again. When you install the hood, get a bolt in the other hole before taking your home-made stud out. once you get the plate to where you can see it, it will become pertty easy to understand. The plate is "H" shaped and slips under the u shaped strap on the inside of the hood. The plate is not symetrical and can only fit one way and still have the bolt holes in the right place, so if you are like me, you will get it in upside down and then have to flip it over! The position of the strap is indicated by the two rivet heads that are visible on the hinge side of the hood.

Regards, John McGraw

[studiog]

John you are absolutely right! The other nut plate was inside the hood. I had looked for it before with a small mirror but couldn't find it. But you made me think that in all probability it had to be in there somewhere. I now have them both out of the hood and these are "H" shaped and are symmetrical in my '61. I can insert them through the larger round holes at the back end of the hood. I think I can use a long piece of wire to pull them back to the hinged end of the hood and then I will follow your instructions to get them into the "U" shaped strap and then bolt on the hinges. Thanks a million.

[John Mcgraw]

Studiodog,

I would have sworn that the bolt holes in the plate were not symetrical, but I gess my mind is playing tricks on me! Glad you got them fished out.


Regards, John McGraw

[studiog]

John here is the nut plate from my 61, maybe earlier were different. I was able to fish it through into position with a wire and successfully mount the hinges. Thanks for the tip on the u strap at that location. I had to bend the u strap open so I could get the plate in position but I have no way to bend it back up but I guess it doesn't matter now till someone removes both bolts again. Hopefully that will be a long way off, unless I forget and do it myself.