To forward tip a '48 hood or not

[alaska gasser]

I'm kicking around whether to make my '48 hood tip forward or not. I have been unable to google any photos of a truck with that done. Does anyone have any photos? Pros and cons from anyone that has seen it done would be appreciated.

[MARTINSR]

It would be a heck of an undertaking, those hoods don't open and close well the "right" way!

I am thinking it would take some serious reinforcing and a strong hinge system. The hood is so narrow up front with it open a lot of weight would be flopping around five feet over the top of the hinge, not easy to pull off.

That all being said, like suicide doors they are only seen when you open it. This hood, how often would you open it to show off your hours upon hours of engineering? Personally I feel that time could be much better spent on detail, something that makes every car or truck stand out from the rest. Making panels fit flawless, making the trucks fit and finish better than when it was brand new, MUCH better, that is what stands out always, with the hood open, with it closed, driving it, anytime, not just the few minutes to show someone the hood opens backwards.

Plus how much of a pain will it be to work on the motor? I don't know, maybe no difference going over the side? The question is yours to answer, is it what you really want?

Brian

[alaska gasser]

MARTINSR, you make some really good points and they go along with a comment my uncle said one time, "Customized looks great, but the time you take to do it takes away from the time you get to drive it."

I'm not sure if it is what I want to do or not. I've changed almost everything else, to include suicide doors. I found a kit to tip it forwards for a little over $100 + shipping.

Seeing a picture of one done would be a good deciding factor. I've seen '55-'59's done, but not the earlier ones.

I probably won't do it, but you never know.

[47 Fasttoys]

I did this on my '54, well close, I did a complete tilt front end. I liked it and it made the engine a breeze to work on and cool to look at. It did take a bit of reinforcing to eliminate the flex. I also didn't run a front bumper. I split the front fenders at the point where they intersect the hood, cut a strait line halfway through the fender and then angled it to the front. I then added a sheet metal plate to both parts of the fender with an alignment pin so it set good when closed. I do have a photo of it when closed, I will try to take a picture of it and load it up later today. Would I do it again? Maybe 50/50. I think I have also seen a hood only tilt, that, I would not do because you don't gain anything and I think it would make it harder to work on the front of the engine. Sold the truck 10+ years ago so cand get any more photos.
Rob

[OrrieG]

I agree with Brian on this.

[skip99]

I've seen forward tilt, be different, do a side lift ! Hinge it in the middle,

[Russell Ashley]

You could always do it like the 40's Buicks did and hinge both sides. You could open them from either side by unlatching the side you wanted to open, or completely remove the hood by unlatching both sides and lifting it off.

[_Ogre]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

You could always do it like the 40's Buicks did and hinge both sides. You could open them from either side by unlatching the side you wanted to open, or completely remove the hood by unlatching both sides and lifting it off.

my bud just sold his 50 buick with the double opening hood. very cool way to work on the motor, but the buick need it, the straight 8 engine compartment was 20 ft long. easy to remove though.