Fiberglass work

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I'm curious if anyone can help with modifying an '85-86 fiberglass hood to fit on my '79-82 nose. The early hoods didn't have the small lip that the '85-86 hoods have, but it's just an inch or so lip...would i be able to cut that off and smooth it over and make it look right or am i asking to ruin a hood?

[93snake]

I think you find there are a few more differences in the 79-82 hoods vs 83-86. Are you looking for a hood for 79-82?

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I've always wondered if they're the same length from front to back but i've never had 2 side by side to see. I know that if you compare 2 cowl hoods from each year that the '82 cowl will be more narrow than the '85 to match the width of the cowl grill....but the thing there is that i have an '85 and my cowl grill is wider now than it should be if that makes sense...so if the '85 hood could simply be trimmed at the lip, then everything else would work right.

My problem is going to end up being hood clearance. Right now i have the '82 GT scoop and it provides a decent amount of clearance, but i'm stepping up to a Victor Jr intake with a 1 inch spacer, so i know i'm going to need at least a 4 inch hood and there's one in the classifieds right now for an '85...not to mention they're just plain easier to find. The only company i know of that even sells a '79-82 cowl hood is Maier Racing, and it's $450 which is WAY out of my budget for a hood, and it's only 2 1/2 inches anyways.

[93snake]

I see, so a "bolt-on" cowl on an 79-82 hood wont work? but I see what you are thinking and it sounds like its worth a try.

[85_SS_302_Coupe]

I actually just got one of the bolt on Pacecar cowls, but i really don't think it's going to offer any more hood clearance than the GT scoop does because i believe there's a law that limits how high a scoop can be on a hood and Ford took that into consideration when they designed these scoops. Plus, the way the GT scoop is higher in the front kinda follows the tilt of the engine and breather so i think it may offer more clearance than the cowl does.

SO, i think i really need to get a glass hood, probably at least 4 inches. I really don't want a huge hood but it's like i have no choice if i want this intake/spacer setup.

[93snake]

yea, I am not sure how much "added" clearence there is with a pacecar cowl, I have a pin-on fiberglass pacecar style hood and it looks like only 1 1/2inch or so high. That cant be much more than a gt scoop. But I am sure something can be made too work, just not sure how hard or easy it will be.

[inferno50]

I have done plenty of fiberglass work. i live close. could come look at it sat. call me 519 6183 bryan