Is lowering the hood to match the fender height a simple adjustment or is the hinged bad?

 

It's a procedure. Get a helper.
Open the hood, and loosen the 3 bolts that hold the side of the hood spring assembly.
Have your helper push the hood UP firmly from the front.
While he's pushing up, tighten down the 3 bolts.
Hood should lower now with close to level. If necessary, repeat with more upward pressure.

If you only have 2 side hood spring bolts, use those 2. Same procedure.