how to straighten a curve?

[dantimdad]

As you know, the front of our hoods curve down on the top.

I cut out the section of my rusted out hood with the raised spear design and want to flatten it out for use on a special project.

Anyone have a simple method of flattening it out without kinking it?

Thanks for your input.

Steven

[travz500]

Originally Posted by dantimdad

As you know, the front of our hoods curve down on the top.

I cut out the section of my rusted out hood with the raised spear design and want to flatten it out for use on a special project.

Anyone have a simple method of flattening it out without kinking it?

Thanks for your input.

Steven

sounds complicated good luck with that

[Bugeyev8]

not gonna happen, the metal has to go somewhere, there will be streaching and shrinking going on there...call Jesse James..he could do it, lol

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

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[66 C10 383]

I've had the idea of grafting the center raised hood section onto a Z/28 cowl induction hood scoop to put on my 66 hood for quite some time and the process would be the same I think. I've not done this nor am I a body man, so it might not work. It would definately be alot of work, more than I care to do but would look good it done correctly.

Cut the spear from the whole hood leaving about .5" - 1" on both sides of the spear. After the spear is removed, using a skinny cutoff wheel, make slices in the ribs just partially the way thru. The rib itself will need to be sliced leaving the flat bottom section remaining. The slice "should" be enough to bend the rib up slightly and then tack welded back together. With enough time and patience you should be able to get the section flattened out to make it whatever contour you're going for.

I would start at the rear section of the rib where it starts curving down and make a single cut and see how far it will let the curve straighten out. Carefully plan your cuts for where it needs flattened.

After you get the contour you want and all your slices tacked back together, you would need to go back and finish tacking all the cuts. As thin as the metal is, it may end up warping back out of shape anyway.

Good luck and if you try this, take lots of pics so I can see if this idea is even feasible. If I had a spare cowl induction hood, truck hood, welding and bodyworking skills, I'd try this myself. But since I have NONE of these, this idea will remain locked in my skill as just that, an idea ....

Doug

[dantimdad]

I had the same idea of using an .040 wheel and slice/tack.

Probably going to try this weekend and see. If it doesn't work, I know someone who can machine the raised section out of aluminum on a cnc for $100 or so.

Steven

[dantimdad]

BTW, I will take pics pass or fail.

Steven

[66 C10 383]

I'm eager to see how this will turn out!

I might have access to a spare Z/28 hood (used from a buddy's previous Camaro build ... price would be unknown or if he'd even get rid of it) and my 66 hood needs work anyway ... I have some other friends with some welding skills (but not body working skills so much ... )

I even thought about making a mold of the 66 ribs and then doing them in 'glass to put on the scoop. Process would still be basically the same with the glass ribs needing straightened. But, I myself can't handle the thought of fake (fiberglass) ribs on my steel hood ... LoL

[dantimdad]

Yeah, I had actually thought about casting it in aluminum but it would still be curved.

I actually think I can get it straight enough to smooth it out and then, do my project I want.

Time will tell...

Steven

[dantimdad]

OK, here goes the attempt!

This is what I started with:



It's way more curved than the picture let's on.

This is the beginning of laying out the slices:



This is how flat it gets just pressing on it after the slices:





Next up is welding some angle iron around the perimeter to hold it flat while I weld up the slices.

So far, so good!

Steven

[dantimdad]

Yes, it's time consuming, but, I think it will be worth it in the end.

I will let you be the judge when I finish.

Steven

[66 C10 383]

Lookin good so far !!!

[dantimdad]

Thanks!

Steven