My money would be on the trim ring studs being in the wrong place, I agree, I wouldn't drill the hood to fit a bad ring. The problem is that your options are somewhat limited, no trim ring on the market will fit or look as nice as the original in terms of it's overall size and shape(although the reproductions I used to sell were pretty close). You could find someone to remove and properly relocate your studs, or try to find a good replacement original ring with good studs.

*Did you find the cast in part# on the rear?