[chevyrestoguy]

Yeah, the early GMC hoods go for big bucks because they are so unique, and in the past, lots of guys swapped to the later hoods and pitched the old GMC hoods. Your style is extremely uncommon because of the interconnected grilles.

If you've got a Mig, or if you're considering getting a cheap 110v Mig, use the hood to practice on. If the inner structure is still solid, and the rust-out damage is limited to just the outer skin, I think you can do some patch work and save what you've got. I'd do the CLR and a Scotchbrite trick and see what's exactly is surface rust and what's a rust-through. Your hood has the typical rust that you see on a truck that's from the coast.

There's enough guys here on the site, and somebody might have a clapped out GMC hood that they might be willing to cut apart and get you the section you need.