Part 8 – Repairing the Hood

An unusual modification that was done to my car by the previous owner was the removal of the hood hinges and addition of hood pins. A lot of work went into this modification as you will see by the pictures, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what value this had. You would have to lift the hood off and set it aside somewhere just to check the oil. Anyway here’s the reversal of that modification.

This first picture shows the holes in the hood for the hood pins
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...oodpinhole.JPG

This is the underside of the hood; you will see that the hinge backing plates have been cut out and the area recessed and fiber glassed to accommodate the hood pins.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...odpinhole2.JPG

The first step was to remove what had been added and prep the area for new fiberglass.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...odpinhole3.JPG

I have filled in the hole in the top side of the hood in this photo.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...odpinhole4.JPG

Here is the form I mocked up to lay the new fiberglass on.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...odpinhole5.JPG

I had to fabricate new backing plates for the hood hinges.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...oodrepair1.JPG

And now the tricky part; To keep fiberglass resin from bonding the backing plates to the form material and to have large enough holes leftover for hinge adjustment I cut some short pieces of copper tubing and assembled them with the backing plates to the form material to keep the fiberglass resin from leaking in where it wasn’t wanted.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...oodrepair2.JPG

Several layers of fiberglass.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...oodrepair3.JPG

When it was all set I removed the copper tubes and sanded down the excess.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...oodrepair4.JPG

Time for the bondo.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...oodrepair5.JPG

Primer and Paint.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...oodrepair6.JPG

And everythings back to normal.
http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...oodrepair7.JPG

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/f...oodrepair8.JPG

To be continued…

Nice job, ever thought about moving to Alabama?

Alan

Rod,

You're a talented guy.... and close too! :D

Very nice glass work.
Looks a lot better back the way it was susposed to be.

Excellent work Rod.

Good thing your close to Phil.:D

Rod,

Nice work!!! I've been in pain just thinking about realigning my hood .... Your efforts are uplifting to the less talented and ambitious (that would be me!)

Bob

Very nice work, I bet it feels good to correct all the screw ups on that car.

I like it.

Thanks everyone, I'm getting a little more serious about getting the car done. I can sort of see a little light at the end of the tunnel. Plan to pull the body off soon so I can finish the welds I could'nt get to and send the frame off to powder coat.
Alan- Alabama would be great but its a little to far from the grandson.
Phil- come on by some time, we're really close :confused: .
Bob- The hood is easy to adjust, just take the radiator out first :D
Rick- It doe's feel good to get another piece of the puzzle put together.

I was wondering when you were going to surface again, Rod;). Nice work, as usual! Hope you can make it east again this year.

Hey Paul, You're up late, oh so am I.;) good to hear from you. How is the house project coming?

Slowly:o!

We are working on the cottage right now, since it is smaller and presumably quicker to build. I have been trying to get a plumber for several months now:confused:. The city does not let homeowners (without a license) pull plumbing, electrical, or mechanical (air conditioning) permits, so it is very limiting. I am finishing up interior framing and installing the last few windows. I'll get the electrical started as soon as the plumbing is squared away.

The good news is that the roof is on, and the gable end soffit and fascia is done. I'll get the rest of that as the siding goes on.

I remain optimistic, but it is taking a looooong time. I guess it is kinda like the Flintstone Cobra and the Spence car;)!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slither

Slowly:o!

We are working on the cottage right now, since it is smaller and presumably quicker to build. I have been trying to get a plumber for several months now:confused:. The city does not let homeowners (without a license) pull plumbing, electrical, or mechanical (air conditioning) permits, so it is very limiting. I am finishing up interior framing and installing the last few windows. I'll get the electrical started as soon as the plumbing is squared away.

The good news is that the roof is on, and the gable end soffit and fascia is done. I'll get the rest of that as the siding goes on.

I remain optimistic, but it is taking a looooong time. I guess it is kinda like the Flintstone Cobra and the Spence car;)!

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Paul sorry for your troubles but this is a good thing.
Plumbing codes are derived to avoid health issues.
Most house fires are from faulty wire installations.
And the air conditioning has environmental hazardous material in them.
As well as sizing and air flow design issues.
Licensed Master tradesmen are regulated to protect the public.
Anybody can put some pipe together, wire nut some wires, and put some ducts up but believe me you just don't want anyone doing it.:)

adjusting the hood--I jack front of car up a bit, take long extension -reach up and loosen nuts with hood closed, then go topside place hood where it should be--care to have hood clear paint/adjoining front/nose when you raise it, then tighten nuts back down. When raising the hood go slow to be sure it clears paint and adjoining front/nose of car .You have come a long way, admire your workmanship.Tonight I will install a new alternator, gm, modify it a bit to fit an old ford.Tis fun for the soul tinkering with these cars.Keep on trucking buddy cause we are learning stuff from your experience.Will-alabama

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naumoff

Anybody can put some pipe together, wire nut some wires, and put some ducts up but believe me you just don't want anyone doing it.:)

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!! ........Tony. Spoken like a true believer. Do you really think he's unqualified; that he's just anyone? It is appropriate to license people who work for hire in those activities that constitute a clear threat to human life - but that ought not preclude individuals who are able, but not licensed, from doing work for themselves.

Even New Jersey (that bastion of integrity) permits homeowners to do their own work - including masonry, plumbing, hvac, electrical, carpentry - in short, ALL trades. The catch is that they cannot sell the structure for a minimum period and must tell future buyers that the structure is not covered by an outside warrantee provider.


Somehow I got to believe he's capable of sweating a joint or pulling some Romex thru the walls.



p.s. - BTW, my son is a IBEW lineman; please don't think I'm a disbeliever.

Even the country of California allows homeowners to be owner-builders. everything needs to be done to code but they don't really care who doe's the work.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TurnpikeBoy

!! ........Tony. Spoken like a true believer. Do you really think he's unqualified; that he's just anyone? It is appropriate to license people who work for hire in those activities that constitute a clear threat to human life - but that ought not preclude individuals who are able, but not licensed, from doing work for themselves.

Even New Jersey (that bastion of integrity) permits homeowners to do their own work - including masonry, plumbing, hvac, electrical, carpentry - in short, ALL trades. The catch is that they cannot sell the structure for a minimum period and must tell future buyers that the structure is not covered by an outside warrantee provider.


Somehow I got to believe he's capable of sweating a joint or pulling some Romex thru the walls.



p.s. - BTW, my son is a IBEW lineman; please don't think I'm a disbeliever.

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:) Why should I not believe. I went through a four year apprenticeship with W2s for proof before I was even eligible to even take my Journeymen test with references from two contractors and the master I worked under. Then another two years with W2s under a Master before I was eligible to take my masters test with references again from two contractors and the Master that I was competent.
I have seen what homeowners and bootleggers can do. Scary:eek: I have never been in the Union either. Everything looks easy when a trained professional does it.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naumoff

:)
I have seen what homeowners and bootleggers can do. Scary

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it depends on the homeowner. for most thats probably true, but, ive seen a few pros that can hack pretty good too. thats one reason why they have permits and building inspectors. later, brian.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by brfutbrian

it depends on the homeowner. for most thats probably true, but, ive seen a few pros that can hack pretty good too. thats one reason why they have permits and building inspectors. later, brian.

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:) This is true and it goes for any profession. Doctors, Lawyers,mechanics, etc. ,etc. There are bad eggs out there and no amount of training can make them better.:)

I’m sure there is plenty of un-permitted un-licensed and un-inspected work going on in the gulf area given the magnitude of the situation. If a homeowner comes to the city to get the proper permits the city should be doing everything they can to help him with that process, since that is the only way they have of regulating what is being built. Any kind of professional license should have nothing to do with a homeowner working on his own home. His ability to do the work properly will be determined when the inspections are done. The “hack” jobs that are being referred to are no doubt the result of un-permitted, un-inspected work or someone being paid off. Let us remember that there are families still living in FEMA trailers and in conditions that the rest of us would not put up with on a camping trip. A piece of paper saying that you are a “Professional” should be low on the list of requirements for putting your life back together.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naumoff

:) Why should I not believe. :)

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Agreed - you most certainly should. You paid your dues, and that's why you're paid to do work for hire. Paul is looking to do it for himself, and that's where we disagree. The fact that he doesn't do it for a living does NOT disqualify him to take care of himself, or make him automatically incompetent. Should we all need to be members of the SAE to be able to build our Cobras? - and please don't say they're not a hazard to the public :)!!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RJacobsen

I’m sure there is plenty of un-permitted un-licensed and un-inspected work going on in the gulf area given the magnitude of the situation. If a homeowner comes to the city to get the proper permits the city should be doing everything they can to help him with that process, since that is the only way they have of regulating what is being built. Any kind of professional license should have nothing to do with a homeowner working on his own home. His ability to do the work properly will be determined when the inspections are done. The “hack” jobs that are being referred to are no doubt the result of un-permitted, un-inspected work or someone being paid off. Let us remember that there are families still living in FEMA trailers and in conditions that the rest of us would not put up with on a camping trip. A piece of paper saying that you are a “Professional” should be low on the list of requirements for putting your life back together.

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:) If there was the fore site to have in place booklets with diagrams of plumbing venting and pipe sizing and basic training for homeowners
wanting to do there own work and qualified inspectors to check the work
I don't see why not. (maybe I should call FEMA) After having everything taking away I wouldn't want someone to take two steps forward then two steps back. Pay out money on material then have to cut it out if it was installed with improper venting. Joining pipe is not that difficult to do, but if you use the wrong cement you will have a problem. that is just one example. No one in the Gulf area has to pick up a torch. Did you know that you are not suppose to use a saw on plastic water pipe? I wish there was a better way.
When we build our Cobras we have a lot of support and if we have a problem we have a lot of people to ask for help. Is there a website for homeowners to go to to ask question about an issue with the build on their home? Maybe there is. I didn't mean for this to high jack the thread.
Sorry. :)

Ah, Mr. T, SOMEbody hadda do it!! :)

Not like you didn't have help, either......

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naumoff

:) If there was the fore site to have in place booklets with diagrams of plumbing venting and pipe sizing and basic training for homeowners
wanting to do there own work and qualified inspectors to check the work
I don't see why not. (maybe I should call FEMA) After having everything taking away I wouldn't want someone to take two steps forward then two steps back. Pay out money on material then have to cut it out if it was installed with improper venting. Joining pipe is not that difficult to do, but if you use the wrong cement you will have a problem. that is just one example. No one in the Gulf area has to pick up a torch. Did you know that you are not suppose to use a saw on plastic water pipe? I wish there was a better way.
When we build our Cobras we have a lot of support and if we have a problem we have a lot of people to ask for help. Is there a website for homeowners to go to to ask question about an issue with the build on their home? Maybe there is. I didn't mean for this to high jack the thread.
Sorry. :)

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Tony, I agree with all the above, and you are right about the potential of having to do things over. I just think that a City policy of not letting homeowners work on their own property is way too restrictive, especially in an area that is struggling to rebuild as it is. As a licensed California Contractor I too have seen my share of shoddy workmanship so I know where you’re coming from. Most homeowners probably shouldn’t work on their own homes but if Paul wants to do it then let him. Besides, it looks to me that he can get the advise he needs right here.:)

OK Rod. Maybe I can reciprocate my license and pull the permit for Paul's cottage. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naumoff

OK Rod. Maybe I can reciprocate my license and pull the permit for Paul's cottage. :)

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Wow this has taken quite a turn:eek:! Sorry to derail the thread, Rod.

I appreciate your offer Tony, and I would have taken you up on it, but I pulled the plumbing permit a few weeks ago, myself:eek::eek:! It made it much easier to get someone onsite once that barrier was down.

It is a shame that the trades are holding folks hostage down here, especially for the last few years. I suspect that those regulations not allowing the homeowner to pull permits for their own property will fall by the wayside before long. As most have suggested, not in so many words, we need basic property rights. A man is really only king of one thing, and that is his castle. It matters little if he does a crappy job on it, if it is his choice.

The plumbing is close to being done, and I did not do much of it 'cept get the materials, mount the water heater out on the back wall (tankless), and cut the bottom of the tub/shower down. I needed to lower it so I could put a window above the top for lighting (had to build a custom-engineered header for that to fit, and ran the numbers to make sure). I guess I could call it the Flintstone tub, and then it would fit better into this thread. A licensed plumber did most of the work. I dare say that it would have been a nicer job had I taken full responsibility for it, but done is GOOD, VERY GOOD!

I chose to use type-L for all my copper, with schedule 40 drain (no Orangeburg:eek:), and Wardflex for the gas. I had figured how much copper I needed, and guess what... exactly what the plumber figured, and it was correct to within 3ft.

I am using ductless mini-splits for the A/C, which will provide redundancy and better climate control for each level in the tower of terror (tall skinny building), and have just today finished with the compressor mounts.

The wiring rough-in for electrical and security is all but complete, though that was hired out as well. It was interesting having all of them in the building at the same time. Made my head spin trying to keep up with helping each one get through the day.

Interestingly, things are slowing some down here in building. The initial boom, primarily fixing up the homes that were still standing but only flooded, has ended. Very little new residential construction seems to be happening, and most of the transient tradesmen have gone home now.

You are correct when you say that "you just don't want anyone doing it." I'd rather do it and know that it is done right.

But, I get your point, and agree with you. If someone is not capable, but still pulls their own permits, they should NOT hire some hacker to do what a licensed professional should be doing. I suspect most of the issues lay where someone bypasses the permit process and hires a hack, and not where they do their own work. Keep in mind I said most;)!

Tony, once we start the house, I'll take you up on your offer. You can come down with the wife (in the Cobra, of course, with your tools in the trunk), have a little RnR, and we'll knock out the plumbing. Make it in February when it is nasty weather up there. We can put you up in a FEMA trailer for atmosphere:D!

Thanks for the support guys.

Paul I am glad things are starting to move for you.

RnR and knock out the plumbing sounds good. It's not this February is it?
Cobra would be out of the question. My engine broke.:mad:

I think you should just stay in the cottage. The way energy prices are going. Save the money for the toys.:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naumoff

....... My engine broke.:mad:

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What, again?? What in the world happened THIS time? Must be a big block thing..... ;)

Paul, moral support from here - truly glad to hear that things are finally moving. Hard to believe that whole situation has gone on this long; bet you're looking forward to your own mantle to hang your Christmas stocking this year. Best of all to you and yours.

Small blocks break too.:p

I just have 16 bent valves, 16 bent push rod and a sheared off crank woodruff key.:D

It is nothing compared to what Paul is going through.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naumoff

Small blocks break too.:p

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:( Yeah, so I've discovered. Just not so frequently.

Nor as extensive. ;)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Naumoff

It is nothing compared to what Paul is going through.

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Man, is that ever the truth. We've had a life-disruptive events in the past - but nothing as comprehensive as Katrina, and the misery that has caused.

We're all with ya, Paul. If there's anything you need that would make life better (short of a million or so....), just let us know.



-Roger

Good to here from you Paul. I was begining to wonder where you were :)

Thanks Guys!

Tony, you are spared, as it won't be this Feb... but maybe next year;). Sorry to hear of the mishap with the engine.

Roger, it won't likely be by Christmas this year, either... but maybe not too, too long after that (crossed fingers:shift:).

Rod, I've been layin' low trying to keep momentum up on the project... when I logged on it said it had been almost two months since I was last on... wow time is going away:eek:!

PS a million or so sure would come in handy;)!

Rod,

I just came across this and thought of your project.....

I could fix that;)