Hood frame front rail query

[PJ60]

I've fitted a new-to-me hood and frame and it all fits OK although it is very tight all round. I'm locking the front first then slamming down the rear. I've soaked it in water to try to ease it off and I can get it all in place and locked up. I've adjusted the frame as high as I can but it still just touches the passenger door frame and both the B-post elements are right against the B pillars and that's without any seals fitted. I can work around this but to lock the front catches I almost have to sit on the front rail to get the catches to engage - the front frame corners bind first leaving about 20mm clear in the middle above the windscreen. I've searched and read of solutions such as placing blocks under each end and bending the front cross member down with a G-clamp - has this actually worked for anyone and what was the procedure that they followed?- it's quite a substantial piece of metal!
Thanks,
Jon

[Guest]

is The header rail bent then? Have you saturated the hood and tried to close it up while soaking wet?

[PJ60]

I don't think it's bent the wrong way, I'm just trying to find a solution. I can close the hood but it takes a monumental effort. I just need to get the front of the bow down by about 8mm to enable the catches to engage. I've soaked the hood several times whilst it has been up and pressed down on the fabric to try and stretch it. I can't drill out the rivets and reglue the fabric because it will leave a horrible line around the front. Would steaming the hood help? I know that I'd have to reproof it but it would be worth it.
jon

[Andy S]

Don’t laugh. My old hood was very tight and used to be a nightmare to close at the front so I bought a couple of good size trigger clamps which applied the right amount of pressure evenly so you could engage the front catches.

I picked ones that had sufficient spread to fit under the windscreen frame and over the header rail. Be careful as you have to do them together or one will fall off and damage something.

Andy S