1939 Plymouth P8 Hood Hinge

[MattMPA]

I've found quite a few helpful answers on this forum...but this issue has eluded me.

We're working on a 1939 P8 coupe, that has a chrome strip that runs from the radiator shell to the cowling. The hood halves are supposed to slide into this strip.

The strip I have isn't 100% straight and the (what I'll call the ) trough isn't perfectly formed. I can only imagine this occurred during the rechroming process. Needless to say, the hood halves cannot thread into the strip.

From some phone calls and research on-line, there are no aftermarket replacements or reproductions. I can find another used part, but am concerned that the rechroming process will cause the strip to be overfilled when chromed and unable to have the hood pieces installed.

I would be grateful for any thoughts on how to get a functioning hood hinge.

[desoto1939]

Matt: Rich Hartung with the 39 Desoto.  I have a used 39 Dodge hood with the hinge but it is rusty.  Or if you know someone with a milling machine then have them mill a piece of stainless steel witht eh two bevel and the concave inside with the convex outside edges.  You would then just have to buff the stainless stell and not have to worry about chroming the piece.

Let me know if you are interested in the used 39 Dodge hood and hinge

Rich Hartung  desoto1939@aol.com

[MattMPA]

Thanks Rich...I'll be in touch!

[eh dubya]

Matt, chrome itself is very thin and wouldn't cause any issues, copper used to fill imperfections might. If it requires heavy copper plating it's best to get it back from the plater to surface and check fit yourself before returning it for final polish and chrome. My hinge is straight and has plenty of clearance and I can't imagine the plating process itself causing the problem. Yours may have been bent by some polishing mishap, it's always best to do as much prep as you can yourself in my experience.

[dpollo]

 Years ago, I got a stainless hinge that was meant for a Mack truck.  I cannot remember the details and it required a very slight reshaping of the "trough " edges. but otherwise is superior to the original on my 35.

[blucarsdn]

I have found that the hood hinge for most of the '30 model cars and trucks are quite similar, especially in the GM trucks.  I have found that most of the '30 model hood hinges are badly distorted from the difficulty of removing the hinge portion from the hood.   

[MattMPA]

All great info here, thank you!

I too share the concern that another hinge, once chromed...may have similar issues...but may have to try...

After looking on-line, I have found that some cars of this vintage do have reproduction hinges available. I'd be thrilled to have an idea of what might fit...