NEED HELP- Trying to Straighten 8n Hood and Grill

[RTR]

Can t get my grill to line up with the hood on an 8n. Need some professional advice from you all. I m a novice on body woe so if you think I need to take it to a body shop then tell me. Watch the video and you ll see my problem.https://youtu.be/vn2-gSXx2fw?si=wUkS497GdRLkHmGm

This post was edited by RTR on 09/17/2023 at 06:28 pm.

 

[Stephen Newell]

Can you post a picture, can't watch a video on my computer.
 

[RTR]

[RTR]

[RTR]

My thoughts tell me that the grille is the problem and it needs to be straightened, and I can Order a New Repro. Grille. Tisco has one that is "restoration quality", but I'm scared to order it and then the hood or side panels be the problem and it still not work. I know ordering the grille from Tisco is the most cost effective option at $75.00.
 

[glennster]

i looked at the video. the grille itself is pushed back in the middle and also at the bottom where it should follow the contour of the lower
panel. could it be straightened? yes. is it worth it? not if an aftermarket is available for less than 100 dollars. a good metal man would have at
least half a day with a hammer and dolley, and shrinking and stretching the metal.
 

[RTR]

[Stephen Newell]

To me it looks like both parts are bent away from each other. The grill is bent in in the middle which would cause the edge to pull that direction. Then the fender appears to be bent outwards. Doing it yourself without special equipment I don't think you will be able to correct it 100% but you might get it more than half way there. It might be close enough you could fill the difference with bondoglass. Take both parts off and lay the grill on a concrete floor and hammer it out. Use a lot of little blows rather than hit it hard. The fender you might clamp it to a work bench with the end hanging over. Then take a piece of 2x4 and lay it against the fender and start hammering on it. The way it's shaped you might need a 5 lb sledge.
 

[RTR]

I got the aftermarket grille (SMA Tisco) in and tried it out. Looks like it will fit really nicely. I'm going to have to do a little bit more body work on my hood and on the RH dog leg. I'll also have to prime and bondo the spot welds on the new grille.

I have a slight bulge in the dog leg which makes the gap off. Not sure how to straighten it because it is right at the pivot bracket which is real thick.

Secondly, the whole front of the hood is bent inwards causing the grill to not fully close. What would be the best way to bend that back outward? Chunk of wood pushing from the inside center back out?? How to hold the hood while doing this? Hammer or a hydraulic press?














This post was edited by RTR on 09/21/2023 at 08:39 am.

 

[Stephen Newell]

That long bend in the middle you need to support it on both ends and work the middle outward. It could be done with a hammer or if you have some way to support the ends use a tie down strap to pull the dent out. Another option is if you can hold the ends down with something put a jack under the middle and push the dent out.

At the top where there is more steal it will be more difficult to shape, just need a lot of patience and determination.