(Tomas7, hope its okay to ask a related question)

For anyone who has done this on a w114/w115 or older car where the hood cannot go straight up, does it ever make sense to remove the hood? I recall some trick about drilling an alignment hole at each hinge before taking anything apart. I suppose if your paint is in good condition, perhaps working on the hood while removed is not recommended. Any thoughts on what is easiest and has the greatest likelihood of success?

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1968 220D, w115, /8, OM615, Automatic transmission.
My 1987 300TD wagon was sold and my 2003 W210 E320 wagon was totaled (sheds tear).