If only we could get the hood adjusted properly, we could finish this exterior resto. We have tried and tried.

When you raise the hood, its rear corners (closest to the doors) rub the fenders on both sides - i.e. both left and right fenders are being rubbed by the hood. It's driving us nuts.

It doesn't seem to lift like the hood of my Packard. On my Packard, when you lift the hood, the back raises early, so that it is out of the way and above the fenders before you continue lifting the hood further. On my Buick, it seems to stay low and not raise in the back until you have lifted the hood further up. By that point, you hear "pop... pop" as the two edges rub the fenders to clear them.

Does anyone know how to adjust these things right? Any pics would sure help, too. Thanks.

Check the shop manual as it will sometimes have good information on body parts.

One thing I have found out is that when adjusting the hood sometimes you have to move the hinge backwards from what you think would be correct. If the hood needs to go up you may need to lower the hinge.

Thanks, Jim. I was beginning to think nobody did this before. I see you have a '52. I'll bet it's the same. We don't see much to loosen and remove. I wish I had a shop manual. Any chance you have one and could post the applicable pages?

Jeff,

The '52 hood opens side to side and your '53 opens from the front, totally different. The oldest body manual I have is for a '58.

You shouldn't have a problem like your descibing though. It sounds like there could either be a problem with the hinges or the fenders could need spacing out. Are the hinges move as high on the body as you can go? Try setting the hinges to hold the hood 1/8" above the fenders.

Good luck

Okay, Bob. We'll look at that. Thanks.

I have a '52 and the shop manual has a section that describes narrowing the hood instead of adjusting the fenders if the gap is incorrect. I am unsure if this would work on the '53.

The suggested method is to place a come along or other such device on the support strap on the underside of the hood and tighten it a little at a time, check the fit and repeat until the fit is satisfactory.

I don't have my manual next to me, but I can copy it word for word later if you'd like.

I hope this helps.

Thanks, 52Rat. I was wondering about that myself a few days back - that is, whether we should just try to bend the corners back a little. I sure would like to see the manual language. If it's too much to re-type, don't worry about it. I will get this hood right or die tryin'!

1953 is the 1st. year for the front opening hoods on Buick's. From 1952 back they all raised from the side.

I'll have a look in my 55 manual when I'm back home and scan the page if there's interesting info. Might take a few days though...

Jeff if you give me your email I'll send you the pages for the hoodallignment/adjusment. Just send me a mail on cess.velthoven@telenet.be

1953 is the 1st. year for the front opening hoods on Buick's. From 1952 back they all raised from the side.

I too noticed this discrepency...when I ordered the shop manual from CARS, Inc., under "53 Special" they have the manual listed as SM-52, which is the '52 shop manual. For the Supers and Roadmasters, they list SM-53. Now, most of the stuff for the '52 is the same, but, you're right...the hood opens completely different. So, I'm going to order the manual for the V8 models, and hopefully that'll have the right information regarding hood adjustments.

I mailed them to Jeff, if you want them too just send me an email.