Topic: '69-70 Hood Stainless Molding Different?

[drummingrocks]

I just got done fighting with a reproduction hood molding that I bought for my '69 Mach 1.  By "done," I mean it folded nearly in half when I tried to make it fit the contours of the edge of the hood.  Are the hood moldings for a '69 and '70 different?  I'm about 95% certain this car has had a '70 hood installed on it...maybe that's why this piece of stainless isn't even close to fitting?  It is off by a MILE.  It's the same (I assume) $18.95 reproduction that all vendors carry--other than NOS, I guess there's not much of this stuff out there anymore.

[1970 SCJ]

Yes, the molding is different. The 70 also uses a black support that is on the back side of the hood lip.

Don

[drummingrocks]

Yes, the molding is different. The 70 also uses a black support that is on the back side of the hood lip.

Is the difference just in how the piece attaches to the hood, or is there a difference in the contours of the edge of the hood?  I thought the '69 hood molding I was sent was just bent, but it wasn't even close to matching the contours of the '70 hood. It was literally 2-3 inches off; you'd line up one side of the molding with the edge of the hood, and the other side would be off a good 2-3 inches. 

I'd buy a repro. '70 molding and see if I had any better luck, but I also worry about it matching the contours of the rest of the '69 grille trim.  Will the '69 molding absolutely not fit a '70 hood? 

[7Lscjracer]

You can easily tell if your hood is 69 or 70 by checking the shape of the underside bracing at the hood pins or twist locks locations.
There will be a round hole in the bracing as a provision for hood pins, and an egg shaped hole as a provision for twist locks.
The hood catch is also different: http://www.deadnutson.com/page/page/4586632.htm
As was said, the 70 hood has a reinforcement strip rivited to the front edge to back up the decor strip.
eBay user fishfarts was selling repro strips. Here's another of his items you could use as a forum to ask about the strip: http://www.ebay.com/itm/69-70-Mustang-Mach1-Boss-Shelby-Fold-Down-Trim-Set-/110828010349?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item19cddd3b6d
AMK sells the attaching rivits Ford p/n 375203-S under p/n B-13178 ten for $3.
I can't get my MPC dvd to work anymore because the Acrobat version is too old, so I can't help with info on the decor strip being different for 69 vs 70.

[7Lscjracer]

Never mind the MPC, this settles it:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-NOS-MUSTANG-BOSS-302-BOSS-429-HOOD-PEAK-MOLDING-D0ZZ-OEM-FORD-/170776439382?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27c311aa56&vxp=mtr

[cobrajetchris]

Is the difference just in how the piece attaches to the hood, or is there a difference in the contours of the edge of the hood?  I thought the '69 hood molding I was sent was just bent, but it wasn't even close to matching the contours of the '70 hood. It was literally 2-3 inches off; you'd line up one side of the molding with the edge of the hood, and the other side would be off a good 2-3 inches.

The 69 and 70 hood are the same dimensions and will interchange and the only difference is the underside items as mentioned, however the peek moldings are different due to the different design of the 69 vs 70 grille/headlight trim. Both year hood moldings will fit the hood but will not match up with the grille/headlight trim. If your molding is shorter side to side, it is worthless for either model and needs to be returned. The reason why the N.O.S moldings are so expensive is the repops are junk. I can't understand why they make and sell a molding for $18.00 that is worthless and not make a $118.00 molding that is a good part.   CHRIS

[69RavenConv]

I've read about reproduction hoods that were poorly stamped -- the center peak was not actually in the center of the hood, but off to one side. Thus, the molding would never line up. I don't know if yours is OEM or a repop, but something to check out with a tape measure, maybe.

[drummingrocks]

The 69 and 70 hood are the same dimensions and will interchange and the only difference is the underside items as mentioned, however the peek moldings are different due to the different design of the 69 vs 70 grille/headlight trim. Both year hood moldings will fit the hood but will not match up with the grille/headlight trim. If your molding is shorter side to side, it is worthless for either model and needs to be returned. The reason why the N.O.S moldings are so expensive is the repops are junk. I can't understand why they make and sell a molding for $18.00 that is worthless and not make a $118.00 molding that is a good part.   CHRIS

Thanks Chris, that was exactly what I was looking for.  I had a feeling that even if I got the correct '70 mounting strip and accompanying molding, it still wouldn't match the rest of the '69 molding once installed.  The repop molding I got wasn't too short, it was just totally made to the wrong contour.  If the repoproductions are all this bad, I guess I'll try to find an OEM '69 piece and rework it.  And I agree--I'd gladly buy the $118 molding if it were offered--why offer an $18 part that is practically impossible to install?