opions needed...hood letters or no

[superchevy]

I need to decide on whether or not to install the GMC hood letters on the K25. I'm leaning toward installing them, but not looking forward to drilling the holes.
Opinions?
Best way to drill holes for mounting studs?
Here's a pic of the cowl hood, and for those of you following my '55 gasser build, a shot of the 16" stacks on the injection set-up...oooh yeah!
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[tonypaul]

Does your GMC letters look as good as the rest of the truck? If they are super nice I would put them on, if they look old, scratched, ect, I would leave them off.
Im putting my letters back on after I getting them looking better....

[superchevy]

The letters look great...they're nos...never been installed.
SC

[too much stuff]

First thing i would look at is if the "M" will fit the hood contour. Some of the aftermarket hoods have more crown than the originals. If it looks like a good fit, i would put them back on. Also nice to have to help open the hood a little bit. Nice looking truck, Eric

[C. M. Wolf]

VERY NICE TRUCK!

Personally, I would recommend not setting the hood letters,(if Folks can't tell it's a GMC by the grill, they most likely can't read either, and aren't smart enough to walk around to the back of the truck).

But that's me, I like simple, clean, GM lines, and a nice paint job with fine wheels and tires.

If you want complicated, wander by the Farrari site some time...



Michael

[low&slow]

I think it would look good either way beings there in excellent condition.

As for drilling holes with nice paint. I usually use masking tape and tape where I want to drill. That way you don't risk scratching up the paint or chipping it. Leaves a nice hole too.

[chevyblazer]

it looks awesome like that nice motor

[Spoof]

My GMC is in the paint shop getting a black finish just like yours and I can't wait to see how awesome those red and chrome GMC letters look when I get'em on.
If your in doubt just wait a week ( please god) and check mine out, I personally believe they will look not just okay but outstanding!

[Ackattack]

I would be worried about mis-drilling the holes and having a letter lop sided or something. Looks good without, so I say leave them off.

[low&slow]

Originally Posted by Ackattack

I would be worried about mis-drilling the holes and having a letter lop sided or something. Looks good without, so I say leave them off.

measure twice, drill once

[raycow]

This may be a dumb question, but is there any way to get a template for the holes?

Ray

[superchevy]

A template would be fantastic!
All the new emblems and trim really pop against the black paint, so I think the letters would as well on the hood. I need to set the M on there and try to see if it will lay flush...if it does, I'm gonna put them on.
Anybody want to help a brother out and make a template of their letter holes?
I'll pay the shipping.
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[splehigh]

That truck looks great! Do you have a link for the 55 build?

[1949gmc]

To me, it almost kinda looks like its missing something without the letters.

Just throwing this out there, never tried it myself, but could you use some kind of two sided tape like they use on new cars, to hold them on? Again, I've not tried that... just thinking out loud. I'd make a template off of my hood for ya, but I know that my 'G' was crooked. Is your original hood gone?

[Spoof]

Both my hood and assembly manual are at the shop, I pretty sure the assembly manual shows the measurements and can check for you later in the week. Sorry I can't be more held right now. Who wants to wait!

[superchevy]

I have the assembly manual as well. I will measure carefully if I can't get a template. Center the "M" first, then do the G and C. Yes, my original hood is gone...like a dumbass I sold it at a swapmeet...DOH!
I thought about the double-sided tape, but the letters have a deep center and narrow edge...they are not flat on the back. I thought about "filling" the center of the letters with some 3M panel bond...thus creating a "flat" rear mounting surface and then using some ds-tape to mount them, but for all that trouble, I might as well drill the holes, lol.
I don't have a dedicated build thread for the '55 Gasser...I just attach pics to my truck posts to show the progress. I don't know if I could start a build thread on this site since it is for trucks.
Thanks for the comments and tips.

If someone does want to make a template of the mounting holes from there hood, here's how to do it:
Take a sheet of paper and center it to the hood centerline...the crown on the hood...tape the paper down there at the centerline. Make a reference mark with a sharpie to indicate the exact hood centerline. Now press the paper against the hood over the mounting holes as you tape it down on both sides of the centerline (pressing the paper against the hood surface with give an accurate measurement). With the paper securely taped down and flat against the hood surface, simply punch the mounting holes or mark them in some way with the sharpie. There's no need for any up/down reference marks...just the hood centerline mark. Can you tell I make a lot of templates for graphics? Can't believe I didn't make on from my original hood when I had it....jeez

[red69ss]

can't help out with the lettering, but you can post your other project in the alternate tinkering section of the board. Check it out theres a lot of nice non truck projects there.

[1949gmc]

I'd be more than happy to make a template for ya, but here's what my letters look like:


I thought it was just the G that was off, but it looks like the C is off a little, too. The dude drilling the holes that day musta been drunk or high.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by superchevy

There's no need for any up/down reference marks...just the hood centerline mark.

Ok, I'll bite. Why is there no need for a vertical reference?

Ray

[sameyrasmea72]

Do the aftermarket hoods have the holes on the back\under side that are used to install the nuts on the studs of the emblem?

[superchevy]

There are holes in the hood to reach the studs on the backs of the letters, however they are not placed like the factory ones. I think I can reach them though with an extension and swivel socket.
As for the vertical reference, it is easy to find the sweet spot...an 1/8 or even 1/4 inch high or low will not be noticeable to 99.9% of observers. An 1/8 or 1/4 inch off center left-to-right will be noticeable to just about everyone. You could run a piece of tape from the hood centerline through the grille topbar crown and grille crown to make sure everything is absolutely spot on...that's what I plan to do, template or not.
I set the M onto the hood tonight to see if it will lay flat on the crown of the hood...looks like it will.
Definitely going to install the letters now. Thanks for all the input.
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[tonypaul]

I havnt put my letters back on my GMC yet, I can make you a pattern. But mine is a '68. Hood is different, but should be the same drill hole pattern..???

Also - On your fuel injection set up is that a old Enderle? What fuel pump are you going to run on it? I noticed you didnt have a cam driven pump setup on the engine. I used to have one along time ago on a drag car- It was too hard to get it to run right. It would either idle good or go wide open good- nothing inbetween.. I ended up going with a rons flying toliet on that drag car..

[superchevy]

Yes, that's an early Enderle unit. It's just sitting on a spare motor at the moment. No mechanical injection; gonna efi it. Already have the screw-in injector adapters for the efi injectors. Need to finish the GMC first, then I can get on the gasser full speed.
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[gm71jimmy]

How did the hood letters turn out. Any close up pictures?
I have a question. Did the 69-72 chevy hoods have more of a crown in the center at the M than the GMC hoods. I have a original 72 chevy hood. That is perfect. I am using it on my 71 jimmy and am adding the letters. I just drilled the holes for the M but it does not sit flat on the hood. And i dont have a gmc hood to look at. Thanks

[sameyrasmea72]

all 69-72 hoods are the same.