Hood lacing questions

[BobT-47P15]

Has anyone used a rubber hood lace to replace the fabric one original

to the old Mopars? Apparently it comes in various thicknesses and

has an adhesive backing. You leave the original nails and put small

holes in the rubber item, to go over the nails.

Or, how have you mounted your lacing? Were the nails removed first?

Where did you find the original style stuff?

Need to replace the lacing on the convert.

Thanks for any info.

Progress is being made slowly but surely. Dale is also smoothing out

the passenger side from accident damage that was mostly (but not

totally) fixed before I got the car in the 1970s.

[Dan Hiebert]

Don't know about the rubber stuff, I used original style lacing from Andy Bernbaum. The nails that attach it have a twist in them, sort of like threads on a screw. To remove them I just used a pliers, grabbed the head of the nail and gave it a slight counterclockwise twist as I pulled them straight out. I seem to recall they all came out rather easily, easier than I thought they would, anyway. To replace I just lined the lacing up where I wanted it, and tapped the nails back into their original holes, through the lacing, with a tack hammer. Still holding firm after @ 20 years. I would think you could attach the rubber lacing in pretty much the same manner. I might use some weatherstrip cement along the lacing to keep it from bulging up between the nails, that or just use the cement for the whole thing and it'll look neater.

[desoto1939]

If you are going for a driver and not a judged car I would suggest that you use the rubber lacing. The old style cloth will rub the paint off the bottom of the hood when the hood moves or shakes becasue of vibrations.

I replaced my nail with small screws so that I can take the webbing off easier. The tacks or original nails had a slot in then that made them look like they were screw so make it easy for yourself. A judge will not know the difference when looking at the car very quickly and if they do notice it it willbe a small deduction.

Go for the rubber style.

Rich Hartung

[Plymouthy Adams]

the original fluted nails can be easily removed and reused if you tap the out from under the dash..be sure to place a small box lid or something to capture it and keep from losing them...or have an assistant on hand..once the fluted nails are removed..one can back the hole on the outer cowl with a dolly and slightly flatten the hole to shrink its size..this will allow you to reuse nail and hole, flutes will align and regrip nicely.

[RobertKB]

I personally would use the original style fabric hood lace and replace it as mentioned in Dan's post. Both the fabric hood lace and nails are available from Restoration Specialties on page 111 of their catalogue. http://www.restorationspecialties.com/2009%20Catalog%20ebook/2009%20Catalog%20ebook.pdf I used their lace on both my '38 Chrysler and '48 Dodge. I just measured the old lace and ordered the appropriate one. The nails can be reused if you so desire. Actually, I have quite a few left over from doing my '48, certainly enough for another job. They are yours for the having and I will pay postage, which will be minimal, if you are interested. Just PM or email.

Edited September 13, 2011 by RobertKB