69-er

My '83 Z hood is starting to flatten out along the fenders. It no longer matches the curvature of the fenders. Has anybody seen this problem? Any fixes? BTW, aren't these hoods made of some sort of fiberglass derivative, or plastic, not a "real" fiberglass?

sellmanb

if your hood is a stock fiberglass hood, then those were actually "real fiberglass". If it's aftermarket... you never know.

I kind of dont understand what your trying to explain though so I cant really help there sorry :-( Maybe you just need to try readjusting your body panels and/or hood?

Stekman

If you want to get specific, its SMC (sheet molded compound).

Mine doesn't really flatten out around the edges. Have you tried adjusting the hood screws?

69-er

I don't think this is all an adjustment issue. The rear of the hood is a little higher than the fenders in height, but as you move foward, the hood droops/sags below the top of the fender. Then, it starts to rise back up to the proper height as you move towards the front of the hood. I think this pic will show this.

THEGENERAL

alot of the problem you are getting is to do with the hood being bent .....

with the ways the headlight pockets are designed they catch air and put excess pressure on the hood and inturn bend it slightly over time ...

69-er

So, this is pretty common, huh? The only thing I can think to do about this is to align the rear as best I can, then somehow support the center of the hood better along the fenders so it actually bends down in the front when it's latched.

THEGENERAL

yeah it is quite common ive seen quite a few camaros with this problem

z28monster

iTrader: (1)

yup my old cowl induction hood that is in heaven now lol did the same thing.... but i guess i hit the deer for a reason... everything happens for a eason now i can buy better and newer parts for the beast....

THEGENERAL

thats right

z28monster

iTrader: (1)

4 inch cowl induction hood
92 z28 GFXs
92 z28 high rize spoiler
clear side markers
tail light black outs
2 inch drop springs
shaved: locks, antenna, handles
one piece headlights
4th gen exaust tips
many more mods such as engine mods and suspension mods also but to much to list....

also getting it painted VIPER blue with white stripes...also black window tint:lala:

:lala: :lala: :lala: :lala: :lala:

phess11

There are rubber "stops" along the fender to hold the hood. I think would see if there is a way to buy new ones, or devise a small piece of rubber hose to put in the middle of the fender channel to hold it up.

THEGENERAL

the problem isnt with holding it up its obviously bent not floppy.....

what i did on my 84z28 is we got a couple friends over and put a socket in the fender channel on each side where the hood needs to be lifted and close the hood slowly on them then push down on the front to rebend the hood back out .....only problem is you can bend it too much or put a crease in it this way so be care full

69-er

But, would this work with an SMC hood?

Poncho Villa

My steel hood had the same thing, so I put a prop rod in the flat spot, and slowly pushed down on the hood. Fixed it. Someone had sat on it or something, but now it is fine.

As for doing the same with the glass hood, you might have to heat it to get the same effect, but I wouldn't recommend it. My .02 is to put something firm under the flat spots--duct tape a couple of pieces of tire/rubber blocks under the flat spots, so that when the hood is closed that area gets gradually bent back by pressure and underhood heat. And, at night, put some towels on the back of the hood, and a couple of cinder blocks on there, to gradually push the back down.

Then, glass in this scoop...

THEGENERAL

the easiest fix is to just replace the hood .

then use the other one for a sled ...it is getting to be close to winter.

sellmanb

by any chance, was the hood liner that came from the factory supposed to prevent this sort of thing? It's one of those things that GM had to have put it there for a reason.

CrazyHawaiian

I know this sounds ghetto but if you cut up garden hose it works too. Make sure to take it out after a while though, dont want any of your friends to see that ... hahahha

rearend373

hi ,I got a Fiberglass, or SMC (sheet molded composite) which is a fiberglass like material.
for sale I live in Minnesota its in nice shape .for a fair amount mail me at aschulz61@yahoo.com its a 83 z-28 with no problems plates blocking the flap holes.hood without the functional hood flaps