Body / Glass: 52 champion fender installation

[cjresto]

Ready to install front end. The question I have is should I put the hood on before I install the fenders? I have read manual as well as postings etc but all info already has hood and grill on car. Any suggestion would be helpful.
Thanks. Clyde

[pinehurstbob]

I have only worked on Larks (64 & 60) and yes I found it best to put the hood on first and use it as a guide to getting the gaps right.
Bob

[Ross]

I agree. Put the hood on first and get its back edge as parallel as possible to the cowl and with a nice gap so the hood doesn't scrape on the way up. Then align your fenders to that.

[Champion Bob]

Many films taken during the 50's and before show the hood was placed on the car before the body drop. Alignment with the right and left front fenders was a snap with very few adjustments needed. If you try to install the front fenders then the hood, you can spend hours trying to get hood and fender alignment to fit and end up under your breath swearing at the stupid way the car was built. (Ask me how I know)

[cjresto]

Thanks for the info. I have the hood on and adjusted however the left side hinge does not lift up and out like the right side. Have new springs. I put a washer between the arm and the hood and this seems to help. Still have to pull out on hood to be sure it does not scrape. Would this be a sign of worn hinge pins?

[Jeffry Cassel]

Put the fender on. Put all the bolts in but tighten none of them. Eyeball align it. Then, if you are ready for it, put the hood on. Then you can push pull shove and cuss 'til you get it just so, but keep in mind that may never happen. Modern cars are computer - robot assembled and gaps are precise. Studebakers were assembled by Notre Dame students who were cramming for an American Lit exam and trying to assemble a Lark at the same time.

[Hallabutt]

I agree with most of what has been said earlier. However, if you have a bent spring, even a little bend can throw the whole process into a tizzy. Remember the car is 75 years old and lots could have happened to it during that time. Regardless the hood needs to be right for everything else to align properly.

[cjresto]

Springs do have a bend to them. I will change around. When I lift hood the right side operates as it should but the left side needs to be pulled out. Put a washer between hood and arm. That helped but think there is another problem. Could it be a worn Rivet?