I just purchased a 1968 Oldsmobile 442 and had to replace the hood hinges. They are installed, but the hood will not close properly and the alignment is all wrong. HELP. It is at the point where it is bending the hood. Do I need spacers? Anyone have a diagram of the hood/spacers or any advice.... HELP

 

Raise the hinges in the rear to lower the rear of the hood.

If you have to put so much force that the hood is bending the hinges themselves are binding. Were they newly rebuilt or used hinges?

Either way the springs should probably be removed (when the hinges are off the hood) and the hinges checked for binding

 

Are these installed?
Hood Hinge Spacer, 1968-72 Cutlass @ OPGI.com

Adjusting the hood hinge is just the opposite as you would think, the hinge needs to be raised to get the hood lower.

 

Just purchased them. Any diagram available on how to install them??????

 

Also lube all the pivot points, will help.

 

Read through this thread:
Shimming hood - ClassicOldsmobile.com

If you lube the pivot points be prepared that the hood will not stay up on its own.

 

Early 68 hinges didn't even have provisions for them (there are two different style hinges in 68). As far as I can tell they were used to reinforce the hood with 3 bolts instead of 2 so when you pulled the hood down you didn't strip the rear hinge bolt out of the hood. They don't have anything to do with alignment or making the hinge operate easier.

If you lube the hinges the hood certainly will still stay up if the springs are good.

If you remove the springs from the hinges they should freely rotate and not bind at all. When the hood is hard to close it's generally because the rivets are binding (or the hinge is bent). I've seen cases where if the fenders are too close or two far apart it will effect the ability to close all the way but once past the point of contact with the side of the fenders, it opens right up