Let me give you a tip for installing hood pads that my grandfather taught me....

Installation is a 2 person job, but if you are your only help, double-sided, carpet tape will be your best friend.

Cover the engine compartment, clean the hood area, place double-sided tape on the hood pad on the edge that will be closest to the windshield. Stick the pad to the hood and check alignment. If it is wrong, no problem, just adjust accordingly.....
Spray the contact adhesive of your choice on the hood, but stop halfway down. Bring the pad up to meet, but do not stick to it... this will mark how far to spray the pad.
Now spray the pad and make the contact...
The pad will be perm. bonded half way. Now detach the lower half that is taped up, remove the tape, and repeat adhesive application for the second half.

This is time consuming if your contact adhesive requires long hold times before joining halves. A good 3M brand adhesive will speed things up.

Good Luck

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William
76 240D (W115) - 550K miles
78 300D (W123) - 200K+ miles