I dont plan on running a hood, but I stuck it on just to see. What do you know, it fits perfectly and I have never measured or even tried it on before. weird. there is no way it will fit with a carb on the engine though.
project has taken a break for a while, recovering my bank account from my last vacation. I did install my hydraulic throwout bearing though. had to drill an access hole for the bleeder line.
I saw that you said that you didn't have enough grill bars to finish the lower part of your grill. I found these replacement bars and figured I'd pass on the link just in case you're interested in them.