Good in the Hood part 2: Repairing and Re-installing

Part 1 of Good in the Hood covered most of the metal repair I did to my old Ford's old hood. It was a rusty mess that needed some cleaning up. After I got it all welded up and tended to some of the rougher spots in the body work it was time to blast it again. After everything was back to beautiful bare steel it was time to prime

I primed the hood with black epoxy primer. Then I installed my new bull-nose trim and some "FORD" letters both courtesy of Shoebox-Central. ​​

Before re-installing the hood I replaced the hood bumpers and cowl-to-hood seal. The seal went on with some funny little nails. It seems odd to drive nails into your car but that was Henry's vision of the future back in 1949 I guess. Aligning a hood can be a little tricky.  The first time I shut it during trial fitment it was almost impossible to open again. I had to pry it open in a North Tools parking lot, then loosen the bolts for a quick field repair.  I got it opening and shutting easily, and just like that, I have a hood again

​The car looks complete again and the green is gone. The open engine bay was certainly a conversation starter but now the car is more street friendly and doesn't blow overflow from the radiator all over the engine compartment and windshield. Stay tuned for more...