68 Mustang Hood won't close

Hello!

I don't know the kit, but from your description it looks like one of the parts (the body or the hood) is warped. If so, then you've got to find the way to straighten the warped part. If it's the body it's probably going to be tough. But if it's the hood, then you have the option of heating it a little (hair dryer, boiling water) and bending it to shape, or maybe to tape it in closed position (so that it matches) and heating it then. It might also help to glue something to the underside of the hood to help stabilize it in the correct shape. Hope it helps, good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Thanks for the replies. I know, I need to get pictures up here! I need to get serious about finding a replacement for photobucket.

I'm thinking the body is warped because the kit comes with two hoods, neither one of them will close correctly. I don't think its hitting anything, it's not pivoting over the air filter.

I've built flintlock rifles before and fitting the brass patchbox lid kind of reminds me of this problem. But it's much easier to tweak the wood and brass to get a good fit. On this, it looks like an adjustment or shim here will change a line there, etc. You just wind up chasing the fix. I'll try heating the hood and trying to get it to conform. i don't think it will work, there is nothing to leverage it against to get the right bend and it's only off by a very small amount. But enough to look bad!

I might just build it hood up. I guess I could put a Masterbox pinup figure in, but then it wouldn't be my eight year old's model anymore! And that would be fine, I just picked up the Snap Tite Grave Digger model for him, and that's more his speed (for now!)

Hi;

 I had the same problem ! I took a play from my build book and fixed it . Take .030 sheet and cut it oversize to the hood shape .Now bend and shape and shave , by hand till you get a fit that will allow paint .

  Sometimes the molded part has a twist or warp on the edge that has to be dealt with . This is not evident when you look at it but , I guarantee it's there .

 A scratch - built hood seems to be the answer that worked for me . T.B.

I have this problem too, and I didn't discover it until late in the build. My solution has been to sand the hood mounting posts and the mounting post support grooves to allow "wiggle room" for the hood. It's less than perfect but it allows the hood to open & close. I'm also having problems installing the chassis into the body - the enging scrapes against the sides of the engine compartment and the mounting posts don't want to line up with their respective holes. It seems ridiculously difficult to finish this model, perhaps someone has some suggestions.