I'm looking to stretch a 1930 Model A Coupe hood. Top only, no sides. Want to make it about 5" longer. It looks like some pie cuts will have to be made to adjust for curvature as the top wraps around to the side. Also have to keep the belt line (bead) straight. Has anyone done this, where are the cuts made? Photos, drawings, anything will help. Thanks, Bob
I had a friend do this some year back. He just called Rootlieb and told them what he wanted and within about 2 weeks ... UPS bought it to his door. Fit Perfect !!
I added two inches to the hood of my `30 coupe but it was a two pc stock top. Took a couple of different templates to make the curve come out right and I formed the bead by hammering over a piece of roundstock using a wood block. Worked out ok in the end.
I see that Aerocolor added sheet metal at the nose. I was thinking of making a cut across the hood, midway between the cowl & radiator & adding a patch panel. This will create problems with the curvature of the hood and it's width. I am hoping that pie cuts will solve this. Once again I ask, has anyone done this successfully. Bob
I almost think it would be easier to make a new hood that trying to Frankenstein something back together.....this is just my opinion.
I make custom lengthened hoods.This custom hood and sides for a 34 truck 3" longer than stock. my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com
Nice looking hood! I've always wondered how you roll the metal to form the hinge on hoods. Is that something you could explain to us? Also are the long louvers punched or made with a PulMax? Bob
I'm sorry to say I haven't got the skills or tools to fabricate a hood from scratch. I can deal with a couple of cuts & welds, but need the basic shape to start with. In addition I am a firm believer in building my own car, it will never be show quality, but it will be mine. Anyone can buy stuff, in fact you can buy the whole completed car for just 20K or so, but what is the fun of that? There is no challenge in writing checks. I'm going to keep working on this until I am satisfied with the result. I may post some photos later, so you all can get a good laugh.
just my 2 cents...5" is a lot also my opinion..its going to throw the model A proportions way off.. if looks, and proportions are important to you, you might want to mock this up before you jump that far
Now this is the best post I've seen on here in a long time. My sentiments exactly. My build time would have halved if I'd written some checks out, but then I wouldn't honestly be able to say "yeah I built it all myself". I like your attitude, we need more of it.
I don't see how adding in the middle is ever going to get a fair contour, at least at the end it's not as obvious.
Agreed.adding the middle or ends will not work,because you have a set cowl and rad shell end profiles. my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com
Model A hoods start looking too long when stretched over 3" and the proportions just go downhill after that point unless it`s a lowboy salt flat style build. Of course that`s just my opinion.
I'm building mine too. Stretched about the same. I made the ends using 18 ga. angle, forming the contour with a stretcher. Next up is getting on the roller....should be good times. Another alternative would be rough forming and finding a buddy with an English Wheel for the smoothing. If you need pics of progress, drop me a PM Pat
Sometimes you have to work with what you have. My chassis was fabricated 3 1/2 inches longer to accommodate an 8 Cyl Flathead. After installing the engine, I found I had to move the radiator 1 inch forward to make room for the fan. I do not like electric fans. I could have moved the motor mounts back, but already had a drive shaft made & trans mounts installed, exhaust system too. It gets complicated. I decided to live with a longer engine compartment. In a few days I will mock up this hood on the car and get a better idea of what it will look like. Worst case is that I go hoodless, which is where I started. You can't knock a guy for trying.
can you post some pics on this thread,with the hood on the car.thanks my weekly metal work blog www.themetalsurgeon.com
Bob, I had the same thoughts mounting a y-block in an A. Had the #4 ex port behind the firewall, so I moved the front x-member and m/mounts forward and got fan clearence. Couldn't see putting an A together with the y-block and then add an electric fan. I'll be trying to make a one piece top when the time comes. RB
Metalsurgeon, It's midnight (Fri.) where I am, I'll see if I can get this hood placed on the car tomorrow & post a photo or two. It may be difficult, I'm working alone & this thing is delicately clamped together. Bob
I'm interested in this as well. I may just run a hood top, but it will look good between my '29 sedan body and my '27 Essex grille, and I will metalwork it myself.
Why would you need to streach it so far. I added 2" to my '31 coupe hood, small block chev, with '32 shell. Added 18 gauge to the front like a patch panel. "simple"
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