wonder if the 41 plymouth front end would fit your 42 dodge?? or a 42 ply front end,,but that may be hard to locate,,

may be easier to shorten your hood from front to back and make it like a 40 dodge hood then weld it in to one piece,,and figure out hinges,,
or make it open from one side or the other like a 50 buick does ,,weld it from undernieth or make a frame undernieth and keep the center hood trim making it look orignal from the out side,if the 41 ply front end would fit,that would be what i would do,unless you perfer the 42 dodge sheet metal,,it is more rare,yours is the first 42 dodge ive ever seen,,41 ply,s are sotra common. just mt .02 cents