Think you’re on the right track 4406bbl. It’s been a 4yr restoration so had to dig back through the info/memory. My original power bulge hood outer skin was good enough to use, the inner skin was bad. I was able to buy a 70’ Coronet flat hood that was in very good shape and replaced the inner skin on the power bulge. Thanks to all your pictures it’s clear that they are two different inner skins. On that center brace the “trough” in the middle of the brace is towards the top of the hood on an original power bulge hood, on a flat hood (mine) it is towards the engine bay contributing to my interference. I’m still not sure it’s the only culprit but it’s a big part of it. Now my brace needs to be cut but I’m considering if removing just the bulging trough will be enough to give me clearance. Will update as the work progresses, great discussion, thanks for all the your posts!