This a hood spring or hood hinge issue?

[devanray]

I've read through some threads here and on other sites but people give mixed opinions, so I figured I'd throw up a few pics and see what yo uguys think.

I'm putting a fiver that Vile will say hinge.

Thanks, as always

[three8six]

There isn't a bunch of shims underneath the hood hinge?

[bigchevyc30]

im saying spring as my trucks hood is like that and i can just push on it and it goes down but i hit a bump it comes back to were it is when i closed the hood

[devanray]

No shims under the hood and I can push down on the back and have it line up but it won't stay.
I was thinking that if it were the springs, than it would mean that they were to loose, right? So, couldn't I just take three metal hose clamps (the kind that are tightened buy a small bolt) and compress them around a few of the spring 'loops' to tighten them up?

I may just have to give it a shot just to see what happens.

[beastie_3]

the hose clamps wouldnt hold that kind of pressure. the hinge joints might be worn too. id start with replacing the springs.

[devanray]

@ Beastie - Ahhh  But isn't that how a true Chevy owner is supposed to think? Bailing wire and duct tape baby! 

I suppose I'll just keep my eye out for a set of springs, time to start saving the pennies... again. Always figured some day I would retire, than I bought a classic Chevy.

Thanks for the input.

[78 Chevyrado]

It's loose hood hinges.  They need to be rebushed or replaced.  The spring is good, its the spring pulling it up like that, but only because the hinges are lose and worn out.

You might try rebushing them if you can find the how to on it.  I bought some aftermarket hinges and they were just like the old worn out ones.  Then I Got some NOS hinges and they fixed all the problems.  They're tight, the back of the hood stays down, and once I open my hood about 8 inches it opens the rest of the way on it's own.

[devanray]

Oooh, almost opens by itself, that sounds nice.

So hinges eh? I'll see if I can find any info on re-bushing them. Where did you get yours 78 Chevyrado? $?

[jaredts]

Stupid question, but have you already maxed out the adjustment of the hood to hinge screws?

[devanray]

No question is a stupid one, especially when dealing with me. But yes, I've adjusted them so much that my accountant thought he might be able to write it off.

I read an online post (on another site) about a guy who rebushed them for less than $20 from parts at homedepot. I wonder what NC law is about driving without a hood? If I try to rebush, I'll be sure to take pics and comments as I do it.

[beastie_3]

 I wonder what NC law is about driving without a hood?

Only one way to find out! It would probably be just a fix it ticket and not a moving violation. I think its illegal in Cali, but ive done it and saw others do it. Just depends on the officer.

[devanray]

Probably does depend on the officer, if I had the hinges with me and explained, I'd probably be okay. Hopefully I wouldn't have to but I always end up needed something in the middle of a project.

[big bear]

good luck man.  something so minor can be such a headache. haha

[Grim 82]

I advise against driving without a hood, just because you never know when somebody is going to have a teen wolf episode and try surfing on your truck. That's how people lose digits

Seriously though it might not be a bad choice to also install a hood brace kit to prevent any damage to your hood.

[devanray]

I use an electric fan so no furry fingers will go a-flying. But the smell of the burnt hair might be a bit annoying. It would be worse if I had no gas cap and somebody tried filling it with fruit peelings so that they could go back in time or into the future.

I've seen the brace kit, but that just deals with a hood that is 'wrinkled' or bowed in the middle right?