So if A is well bolted down (i have spacers under C) and B is a fairly stiff/thick bar and D has no play (ie close tolerances around the bolt) and is real tight, where would most of the flex happen?

It looks like you only have the bracket attached with the one strud. If you really wanted to make things stiffer, you need to have at least 2 of the studs, all 3 would look best and be best.

No matter how tight you make that bolt, it will move there because of how heavy the car is. I think the best thing you could do with that is to put a second bolt through, but it looks like the bar won't reach in far enough. More mods.

The second bolt would make things much stiffer, and you wouldn't have to make the nut REALLY tight, Just make things so there is (zero) slop.

the bracket looks nice tho. If you wanted a functional bar, you could get some aluminum pipe (3/4 inch dia) then flatten the ends enough to fit between those two fingers on the bracket, and put 2 bolts though on each end. You might have to bend a hump into the bar to clear the engine.

It's up to you. If you like it, it doesn't matter what anybody else says.

naw, i just haven't drilled the other bolt hole where i want it, it will have 2 bolts though

wolf66, does your hood close? I borrowed the same bar from the kid down the street and drilled the other hole with my drill press. It mounted up okay on my 78 but the hood wouldn't close so I gave it back.

Have to push it a little firmer then before so i suspect it is hitting but not enough to stop it from closing properly.

you could get yourself one of those!

You better make SURE bit's not hitting or else you'll get those neat little bumps on your hood. Maybe the bumps are good- to help you find the exact place to use the holesaw to drill a clearance hole!