69 BB Hood Insert fit question

[Brad H.]

All,
My 69 427 car is an original BB car with it's original factory hood. The hood has 2 chrome inserts that screw into cavities in the forward part of the hood as you know. During restoration the hood was stripped of paint and there was no evidence of any kind of damage or modification. I never really paid much attention to the fit of these 2 inserts prior to the restoration. This is a minor issue I suppose, but the left insert fits poorly and sticks up above the surface of the hood while the right one fits correctly and flush. I doubt the insert that came with the car when I bought it was original so I bought new ones from a couple of sources but they all stick up on the left side. Is this just the way these inserts fit or is this maybe a case of poor reproductions? Unfortunately, I don't have a known original to compare. Ideas?
Thanks,
Brad

[Edward B.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Brad, mine's the opposite! My left side (driver side) fits fine, but my right side (passenger side) outside corner sticks up (see attached).

The original inserts that were on the car didn't have this problem, but I had to replace them because they were very corroded. The ones on there now are repops, so it doesn't surprise me they don't fit right.

Ed

[Brad H.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Thanks Ed,
I figured that was the case but I've never located an original piece to compare.
Brad

[Edward B.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

I was told that one of the vendors sells a molding set that's made in the USA, but I can't seem to find it. I DO know the one's that are currently available are made in China. Which is probably why they don't fit right.

Ed

[Robert L.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Gentlemen,
During the completion of my restoration in late 2013, I had the exact same problem with a set of '69 BB reproduction hood inserts that did not fit properly (not sure if US or China product). I had the originals re-chromed and they fit perfectly. Needless to say, I tossed the repos in the pile of parts to be returned. There is no substitute for the original parts!
Robert

[Brad H.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Thanks guys! Guess I'll be on a quest for some original pieces.... These inserts seem pretty rare.
Brad

[Edward B.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Used originals are on ebay all the time, but price depends on condition. Mine were totally shot so I couldn't get them rechromed, but if yours aren't that bad (and they fit right), you might want to see what it costs.

Once in a while you see an NOS set for sale on ebay, but you have to mortgage your house, sell you children (and your soul) to afford them. I'm sure "someone" is selling USA made ones, but I'll be darned if I can find them. Of course, no guarantee the USA ones would be any better than the Chinese, but it's probably worth a shot.

Ed

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

All------


Unfortunately, Trim Parts does not manufacture these moldings. If they did, they'd be "right". I suspect that the current Chinese reproductions are "reverse engineered" from an original part. For a piece like this, if they're off even a tiny bit, you end up with the kind of problem folks seem to be experiencing. The chances of them being off a tiny bit in a reverse engineered part is GREAT.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Used originals are on ebay all the time, but price depends on condition. Mine were totally shot so I couldn't get them rechromed, but if yours aren't that bad (and they fit right), you might want to see what it costs.

Once in a while you see an NOS set for sale on ebay, but you have to mortgage your house, sell you children (and your soul) to afford them. I'm sure "someone" is selling USA made ones, but I'll be darned if I can find them. Of course, no guarantee the USA ones would be any better than the Chinese, but it's probably worth a shot.

Ed

Ed-------


The problem that many of these molding suffer from is "blistering" of the chrome. This is a common problem with parts cast from zinc diecast material (i.e. "pot metal"). This can be restored by some platers but, because of the work involved, the cost is usually quite high.

[Ralph S.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Ed, I have a L & R moulding in the original boxes that I bought in the early eighties that I never used.

[Edward B.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

The problem that many of these molding suffer from is "blistering" of the chrome. This is a common problem with parts cast from zinc diecast material (i.e. "pot metal"). This can be restored by some platers but, because of the work involved, the cost is usually quite high.

Joe, when I replaced mine 6 years ago, the quote to repair and rechrome my originals was over $500! I think that was because mine were so gone. But I couldn't (and still can't) justify spending that amount of money on a "driver" car. That's why I went with the repops.

Ed, I have a L & R moulding in the original boxes that I bought in the early eighties that I never used.

Ralph, does the box say where they're made? I'm not particularly looking for a set (the thread was started by Brad), so he may be interested. If he's not, I may be interested if they're made in the USA. My Chinese ones are already starting to blister!

Ed

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Joe, when I replaced mine 6 years ago, the quote to repair and rechrome my originals was over $500! I think that was because mine were so gone. But I couldn't (and still can't) justify spending that amount of money on a "driver" car. That's why I went with the repops.



Ralph, does the box say where they're made? I'm not particularly looking for a set (the thread was started by Brad), so he may be interested. If he's not, I may be interested if they're made in the USA. My Chinese ones are already starting to blister!

Ed

Ed-------

I have several sets [none for sale] and none of the GM boxes say a country of origin. However, I'm very confident that they were made in either the USA or Canada. The GM examples have a GM part number embossed on the back. I've not seen a reproduction yet that was so-embossed.

[Mark E.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Ed-------The problem that many of these molding suffer from is "blistering" of the chrome. This is a common problem with parts cast from zinc diecast material (i.e. "pot metal"). This can be restored by some platers but, because of the work involved, the cost is usually quite high.

My originals have minor pitting. I think part of the problem is where they're mounted. The hood recesses stay damp for awhile after washing or rain, even if the drain holes are open.

[Ralph S.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

They are in GM boxes I bought them in the early eighties from a local Chevrolet dealer.

[Brad K.]

Re: 69 BB Hood Insert fit question

Ralph....Be careful storing your originals.....I bought a complete set (6 pieces) of front end chrome for my '59, stored them above the floor in the rafters in my garage...never looked at them. When I finally took them down 10 years later, they were so corroded and pitted that I had to throw them in the trash. The boxes they were in, trapped moisture inside, from the very high humidity here in Missouri.