Pre-war (up to 1942) 1939 LaSalle - Hood Lacing and Hood Bumpers

[39LaSalleDriver]

Moving on to other aspects of my car restoration, I am now looking at the hood area. I've got a pretty good handle on the hood lacing that runs over the cowl. It seems Bob's Automobilia has a kit for that.

When I got the car, it had a strip of braided belting laid over the top of the grille where it meets the nose of the hood (see photos). For the time being I've left it there, but I'm pretty sure this isn't correct. I see that there are holes in the top of the grille which I suspect are where either rubber bumpers or rivets of some sort go, but I can't find any good photos of what's supposed to be going on there. Can anyone tell or show me a photo of what sort of bumper or cushioning goes in this area?

I see Steele has several types of hood bumpers listed, but doesn't elaborate on where they go. One of which is a rectangular rubber block about 1 3/4" long with a notch which I gather goes along the edges of the V shaped snout cover over the radiator. Is that correct, and if so how many should go along there? Two per side? Four per side? One per side?

Are there any other bumpers or cushions I should be aware of involving the hood? Thanks.

[carlhungness]

       I bought one of the lacing kits from Bob's for my '37 and it appears as though it is going to work. I sure wish I could help with your hood-bumper problem but don't have the knowledge. Fortunately, we have lots of 39's in the club so am pretty sure someone will assist.

[39LaSalleDriver]

Bump

[las39]

I'd like to know too 

[LaSalle5019]

My '39 LaSalle has three of these in the holes you see along the top of the grille - best picture I have

https://www.steelerubber.com/radiator-panel-bumper-33-0189-31

Scott

[39LaSalleDriver]

Thanks a bunch Scott. That helps immensely. I had seen those bumpers from Steele and wondered about them, but didn't read the description closely enough so your photo and description clears it up nicely. I do wonder what the other two holes are for though...

It also clarifies to me the usage of this https://www.steelerubber.com/hood-rest-pad-70-0150-42

I went through photos I've collected of other folks' LaSalles and found that apparently (at least from what I can tell) on 1940 models they used four of these along that valence to cushion the edge of the hood. I finally was able to scrounge up a couple of photos of 39's with them as well, but only one seemed to be on a somewhat untouched (at least for a long time) car. This to me would suggest the possibility that it may be original vs. some owner in the past stuck them on there because he thought it was the right thing to do. Unfortunately because of the angle the photo was taken, I could only make out one set positioned as yours is. In other words one on each side of the valence. The other is from a restored car and that owner apparently opted to place them on at least two bolt holes along the valence (possibly more). I'm not saying it wasn't done that way originally, but it does strike me as excessive since I can see little advantage to having that many supports along the edge. Especially when Steele is selling that part for $21 each 

Now if I could just figure out what Steele calls a "Hood Lock Pad" https://www.steelerubber.com/hood-lock-pad-70-0188-42 is for I can get this all finished up.

[DaveZ]

The hood pin rubber goes on the pin that goes through the hole to the latch.

[39LaSalleDriver]

The hood pin rubber goes on the pin that goes through the hole to the latch.

Thanks Dave, I'll have to go check that out as I haven't had my ornament off since I had it re-chromed last year.

I did a bit more digging and came up with this illustration from the MPL. It appears to show that only one of the "Hood Rest Pads" should go on each side of the valence, right where the side panels meet. Then again, could it be that they assumed you knew that there should be one at each bolt hole and only showed one so as to not clutter up the illustration?

[DaveZ]

Hey Jon,
It doesn't go on the hood orn latch. Sorry my descriptions suck:-) It goes on the pin.

[39LaSalleDriver]

Hmmmm...that could explain some of my confusion...but I don't think I have the same arrangement as you under there. Here is a shot of the underside of my hood which more or less matches the perspective of your picture. I don't know...maybe I'm missing some parts under there?

[las39]

Hmmmm...that could explain some of my confusion...but I don't think I have the same arrangement as you under there. Here is a shot of the underside of my hood which more or less matches the perspective of your picture. I don't know...maybe I'm missing some parts under there?

Mine looks like yours. Nothing extra

[LaSalle5019]

Mine looks like yours. Nothing extra

Ditto.  My 1939 LaSalle has the hood latch hook arrangement.  I don't see any other rubber products required.  As far as I know, only two hood rest pads were required.
Scott

[39LaSalleDriver]

Thanks guys, this has been a real help. I have now ordered two hood rest pads, three bumpers for the top of the grille, and four bumpers to put where the side panels meet from Steele. At some point somebody had pop riveted hood lacing along that edge, so that had to go. So hopefully I'll be able to get my hood components back into shape.

My god, I never dreamed in my wildest nightmares I'd be getting so nitpicky or putting this much work and money into this car when I bought it two years ago! 

Yesterday I stripped off the old hood lacing from the cowl, but fortunately was able to salvage the wire. Was able to feed that into the hood lacing I got from Restoration Specialties and get that all remounted in fine form.

Now if I could just find some new hood springs I'd really be in good shape with my project. I have given thought to using these springs for a 42 Chevy https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/8368/Chevrolet_Hood_Hinge_Springs.html and having them modified by heating and rotating one of the hooks 90 degrees. Alternately, I could have a set custom made (expense ?), or see if my originals could be re-tempered in some way by a spring shop. Unfortunately, in all scenarios I have no idea what poundage of pull they should have. That is a number I'm sure any shop would need to have.

[las39]

Thanks guys, this has been a real help. I have now ordered two hood rest pads, three bumpers for the top of the grille, and four bumpers to put where the side panels meet from Steele. At some point somebody had pop riveted hood lacing along that edge, so that had to go. So hopefully I'll be able to get my hood components back into shape.

My god, I never dreamed in my wildest nightmares I'd be getting so nitpicky or putting this much work and money into this car when I bought it two years ago! 

Yesterday I stripped off the old hood lacing from the cowl, but fortunately was able to salvage the wire. Was able to feed that into the hood lacing I got from Restoration Specialties and get that all remounted in fine form.

Now if I could just find some new hood springs I'd really be in good shape with my project. I have given thought to using these springs for a 42 Chevy https://www.chevsofthe40s.com/detail/8368/Chevrolet_Hood_Hinge_Springs.html and having them modified by heating and rotating one of the hooks 90 degrees. Alternately, I could have a set custom made (expense ?), or see if my originals could be re-tempered in some way by a spring shop. Unfortunately, in all scenarios I have no idea what poundage of pull they should have. That is a number I'm sure any shop would need to have.

Hood can't hold open?
I had this problem and was annoyed driving around with a wooden stick to hold it open.
Tried shortening spring by cutting off hooked end bending coil to from a hook, Hard work to get them back on But sadly it didn't work so I gave up. When i tried connect hood bracket with the clevis, I dropped it and never found it again.

Decided to put a nut and bolt and drilled both hood bracket and the forked spring bracket. To my amazement hood held it self. So my problem was (maybe)not springs but worn holes for clevis pin, resulting in hood reaching over a certain degree forcing the springs together. Sorry not a native English speaker, hope you understand

[39LaSalleDriver]

Maybe?

I'm guessing that you mean the hole where the arrow points on this picture had worn out so you re-drilled it and put a larger bolt in?

I'll have to look and see if I have any play there, but my first instinct would be that over the years the spring has stretched out somewhat.

[Jeff Maltby 4194]

http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=101708.0

http://forums.cadillaclasalleclub.org/index.php?topic=135582.0

[las39]

Maybe?

I'm guessing that you mean the hole where the arrow points on this picture had worn out so you re-drilled it and put a larger bolt in?

I'll have to look and see if I have any play there, but my first instinct would be that over the years the spring has stretched out somewhat.

Yes this one 
Was 7/16 and drilled precise to fit 3/8 shank bolt, as far I recall.

That was also my first instinct. maybe a combination of both fixed mine.

[39LaSalleDriver]

Thanks Jeff,

I had seen those threads in the past but didn't do anything about it at the time. I just got off the phone with Jade Mfg. and he "thought" it would run about $150 or so for the pair, but I was only shooting for a ballpark figure anyway. Interestingly, when he asked what the spring would be for I told him a hood spring. Then he asked if it was for a Cadillac Apparently quite a few CLC members have used their services.

[DaveZ]

Hmmmm...that could explain some of my confusion...but I don't think I have the same arrangement as you under there. Here is a shot of the underside of my hood which more or less matches the perspective of your picture. I don't know...maybe I'm missing some parts under there?

Sorry Jon, I thought you were asking what the rubber bushing was for. I forgot 39 didn't have that:-(

[39LaSalleDriver]

No problem. I'm just glad to find out I'm not missing any parts that I'd have to buy