Boy,I thought I would try doing some light work this morning after haveing some health problems yesterday with a visit to the doctor included and I thought i would straighen and clean up my hood.Which I have found really ought to be blasted to clean up right.
But the middle of each side had some bent places in it.I finally after alot of #(@(## got the rod out and have 2 halves.Now in trying to get the top straight,I have got the "tubes" kinda buggered up.I think I will be able to deal with it but it is aggrovating.But I did find the rod was all twisted and messed up.I wanted to know why a solid rod couldnt be used for this instead of the big "roll pin"? Is it because it holds a little pressure on things and stays in on it's own?
Any other hints on hood repair would be appreciated.

Mack a piece of 3/8 SS rod will work in to top.

thanks! I finally found in my "stash" a 3/8th galvanized rod to use as a "guide" to repair the round parts on the hood.Got them decent.Now to drop the hood off at the sandblaster and then weld on it a bit.Nothing major.I think I will check around for stainless rod.I like that idea.
I must say,if there was a piece of sheet metal on a T that I might would spring for new,it would be a hood.I have had a heck of a time trying to fiqure out how to straighten what was bent and so forth on this thing.But I am getting close.It werent bad but the hinge had froze and the hood bent a little around some of the rounded parts on the rod.