Slight hood bow

[My78truck]

So, my hood, on passenger side has a slight bow and doesn't set exactly flush with fender. I think it happened when I was closing the hood and the hinge stuck a little (fixed that with some quirt in lithium). The hoods on these trucks, from what I have read, have a built in wrinkle spot (which I translate as a weak point) that will bend/fold in that spot if there is a front end collision.

So, is there a GENTLE way to get it back flat?

 

[82sbshortbed]

I'm afraid once they bow or crease there's nothing you can do. They make a brace for that but, it's just a band aid and don't really work that well.

 

[75gmck25]

I had a really obvious bend on one side. I used a padded 2x4 on top and pulled both sides down with two c clamps to make it more flat. It’s nearly flat now, but it takes some finesse to figure out how much to bend and how much the bend will spring back. Then I screwed on the reinforcement plates to try to keep it from happening again.

Bruce

 

[Memaloose]

As more than one person has told me over the years: keep the hinges oiled! I think that's the biggest cause of bent hoods, hinges that seize. Of course, as soon as it's forced, it's bent. I've been lucky, I'm one of those that keeps things well oiled and greased. A couple squirts of lube a couple times a year and you'll never have problems. While you're at it, lube the door hinges as well.
Good luck on the hood, your truck looks nice.

 

[Grit dog]

Straighten it out a bit and put a brace kit on it or build some braces. Best option IMO if the hood is in good condition and rust free.

And even still, I would "baby" the right side of the hood when closing it. Always been that way.
Been bending squarebody round eye hoods since 1985! lol

 

[My78truck]

Thanks all. It is actually not THAT bad. It sticks up maybe 1/2 inch. If I push it down it is less obvious. I think I need to get new hood bumpers though. 43 year old bumpers getting a little stiff. Just my baby since 1978.