How's the best way to cut a hole in a steel hood...

[machoneman]

for a hood scoop? Want to get an OEM 'look' bolt-on scoop for a '69-'70 Mustang. But, if I cut a hole in the hood for my 14" diameter K&N air cleaner (raising the carb as well with a 1" spacer) what's the best way to do so?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Goodmark-Hood-Scoop-for-1969-1970-ford-Mustang-/362331056663?fits=Year%3A1969%7CModel%3AMustang

[Heo]

A Nibbler

[cjshaker]

Agree with Heo. Cutoff wheels produce too much heat and will burn the edges of the paint and cause it to start to peel and lift. Same with plasma cutters. Be gentle with the nibbler and don't press down too hard. Then you can dress the edge with a small sanding disc or file. I prefer the small 2"-3" sanding discs.

[machoneman]

Hey, thanks fellas! Hadn't thought of a nibbler!

[AlanCasida]

I used a jig saw with a metal blade to cut the hole in the hood of the '89 Mustang(460 powered!) I used to own. I put a couple of layers of masking tape over the area I wanted to cut and away I went! There were no ill effects and it was on a recent paint job too.

[Rory428]

Like Alan, I have used a jig saw with a fine toothed blade to cut holes in steel hoods a few times, including the hood on my Fairmont, which I cut over 30   years ago.Some guys install that plasic door edge molding strip around the opening, I just touched up the cut edge after a quick sanding of the edges.

[temarey]

A Malco HC2 will cut 2 inch to 20 inch round hole

[BattlestarGalactic]

x3 on the jig saw.  Lots of tape, lay it out, slow and steady and then a file to smooth the edges.

[machoneman]

Thanks to all! Thought of the jigsaw as well but had never used same to cut a hood hole.

[Falcon67]

Jigsaw here too - use wide painter's tape to tape off every place the shoe of the saw will ride to protect the paint.  A full size Boss scoop should just cover a 15" hole.

[machoneman]

Thx for the pic Chris. I have thought about the Boss 9 type scoop. I do need to carefully measure both the one I linked to (OEM Ford) and the Boss one as either need to clear the 14" K&N air filter with a taller spacer under my carb.

Jigsaw here too - use wide painter's tape to tape off every place the shoe of the saw will ride to protect the paint.  A full size Boss scoop should just cover a 15" hole.

[Falcon67]

If you mean the regular "Mach" type scoop, no way it'll cover a 14" hole.  EDIT - missed the link.  Not sure - based on below, nearly would say no.  ALSO - if you cut a 14" hole for a 14" air cleaner, good luck and you better be accurate.  14.5 or 15" will be more like it.

From the Summit Racing site:

Is this Fiberglass or ABS
Is it bolt on or Bond
What are the dimensions
How does it compare to SDK-C9ZZ-16C630-A
Asked by MICHAEL on March 04, 2016

A:
Thank you for your question. Goodmark 3022-255-691 is made of fiberglass and would measure 27.5 in. x 15.5 in. x 2.25. This scoop is a direct OE replacement just like the Scott Drake counterpart.

Summit RacingSummit Racing Answer - November 15, 2016

Answer This Question

Link: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/gmk-3022-255-691/overview/year/1969/make/ford/model/mustang

[machoneman]

Yeah, that's my concern since I already doubted the regular "Mach" type scoop is wide enough.

Even with a engine limiter (turnbuckle) on the driver's side cylinder head, the hole would need to be bigger indeed in order to close the hood and allow some shaking....and as you say, so big the scoop may not cover the hole!

I'm going to can the idea of the Mach scoop and look more closely at the Boss scoop or similar wide scoop, say 16" minimum,  to avoid any grief.

 

If you mean the regular "Mach" type scoop, no way it'll cover a 14" hole.  EDIT - missed the link.  Not sure - based on below, nearly would say no.  ALSO - if you cut a 14" hole for a 14" air cleaner, good luck and you better be accurate.  14.5 or 15" will be more like it.

From the Summit Racing site:

Is this Fiberglass or ABS
Is it bolt on or Bond
What are the dimensions
How does it compare to SDK-C9ZZ-16C630-A
Asked by MICHAEL on March 04, 2016

A:
Thank you for your question. Goodmark 3022-255-691 is made of fiberglass and would measure 27.5 in. x 15.5 in. x 2.25. This scoop is a direct OE replacement just like the Scott Drake counterpart.

Summit RacingSummit Racing Answer - November 15, 2016

Answer This Question

Link: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/gmk-3022-255-691/overview/year/1969/make/ford/model/mustang

[Falcon67]

The scoop on the Mustang came from Crites, just FYI.  Good luck!

[Hemi Joel]

Jay shows us how it's done, in a trailer, the night before Drag Week check in...


https://youtu.be/6F15sxPM1UA?t=3m45s