Cracked fiberglass 1959 Hood Hinge receiver - loose plate

[Ian G.]

I'm hoping for some advise on how to tell if my 1959 hood hinge receiver plates in the hood are "OK". One is immobile and the other floats. The floating one, I can tell the fiberglass is cracked so was worried the plate underneath might be damaged. I found two very nice threads on the topic, and I feel confident I can fix the crack.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/forum/te...epair-question
https://www.forums.ncrs.org/forum/te...repair-c1-1957

...but I'm wondering:

1. Should the receiver plates float? After reading the threads, it seems they should, as there is a hidden u-bracket to constrain its movement.
   • How much should they float, so I can tell if the U-brackets are "good"?
2. If they should float, should I worry that one is frozen and try to free it up?

IMG_6357.jpg IMG_6356.jpg

[Richard M.]

Ian

Yes they should float. The bracket that "keeps" the plates, allows about 3/8" to 1/2" movement in all directions.

For the one that appears stuck, I'd put 2 bolts in the plate and tap them sideways to see if you can free it from the keeper bracket.

You may have to use a hook tool to wiggle and bend the keeper to help free up the plate.

Here's that info I posted in that top link...
17579872634595315556990470149568.jpg

Rich

[Ian G.]

Thanks Richard, That's a relief. I'm glad I just need to loosen the frozen plate and not repair the floating one

[Richard M.]

Ian just be cautious that you don't bent the bracket keeper too much that it allows the nut plate to fall out of position.

The nut plate may just be jammed in there a bit. Thats why you want the bolts in there.

After you get it free, remove the bolts then carefully move the nut plate around to see if it stops.

If so you're all set, but then put a bolt back in to keep it locked in(on both sides) while you work on the hood. Why?......

I once had a hood, when it came back from the paint shop, both nut plates were missing. They fell out of their keepers and got jammed at the top areas of the hood. I had a heck of a time relocating them, with string and hook tools.

I should've put bolts in to keep them safe. Lesson learned.

Rich