I need a new/used hood. Suggestions?

[CA Big Red]

I've got some rust eating out the front in the typical places and want to swap it out with another one.  I'm out here in Rancho Cordova, so I see there are lot of these "pick-a-parts," but I've stopped by a couple and the folks at those places say they don't have any donor rigs locally. 

I haven't asked about a hood from any of them, but thought I'd see if there were suggestions here on a hood replacement.  I'd like to go stock and use original equipment, unless someone swears by an aftermarket company that they were happy with.

I plan to do the body work and paint myself.

I look forward to hearing thoughts. 

[Captkaos]

Most pull a part places have inventory online now, I haven't had issues with using them when I needed something.   Finding original sheetmetal is going to be near impossible, used would be your only option.  Many vehicles have been restored using aftermarket parts.  How much experience do you have with replacing panels?  You also need to now your subject.  The gaps on these trucks were HORRIBLE from the factory...

[bake74]

     CA BIG RED, pick-n-pull is our best friend around Sac. there is one off stockton blvd. and Mack road, and one off south sunrise in Rancho Cordova.  I see them all the time when I go brose, also try the local craigslist for auto parts, I have seen several on there recently.

[CA Big Red]

thanks for the suggestions!  I'm on the hunt...right after I replace my fuel filter...

[CA Big Red]

I picked up a hood today, it was an from a '73.  My truck is a '78. The one I picked up is in great shape, but it's slightly different than the original one I have. The guy I bought it from thought that the style he was selling came from the factory and that I might have an aftermarket one.  I wasn't of sure about that, but it looks and bought it. 

It does have a crease in the front that mine doesn't have. Can anyone tell me about the various visions of hoods, styles and fit?  Or is there a thread i can read up on regarding this subject?

 


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[Captkaos]

From the factory 73-78 hoods were smooth acrosss the front. 



1979-80 hoods had the raised bump in the front.



I thought I created this, but apparently not.  I will upload it ASAP

The 81-91 were the same.

[bake74]

     I need some clarifying, the blue hood in the pics is the 79 -80 and the grey one is 73 - 78.  The only difference I see in the pics is on the very front of the hood ( right above the grille ) is the raised section in the middle on the blue hood, and no raised section on the grey.
     Is this correct ?

     I just read the other post in body ( hoods, by Vile ), and it seems that the post above mine is backwards, ( description followed by pic does not coincide with other post ), am I missing something ?

[Irish_Alley]

blue hood is 73-78 gray one is 79-80, after 80 is the other style of front end

[CA Big Red]

I caught that too blake74. I thought I read that the 73-78 had the lip and 79-80 did not, but then I ran into a lady with a '75 Stepside, original owner, and she had no lip. She promised me it was the original hood.

I thought the lip kinda dressed it up a bit (so I bought it), which makes me wonder if it isn't a late model 79-80 version.

Captkaos, can you confirm either way?


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[Irish_Alley]

1979
GM begins making changes to the front end by combining headlight bezels and turn signals, a new apron is added below the grille, a decorative ridge was added to the leading edge of the hood, and new paint schemes were available.

http://www.73-87.com/7387info/7387differences.htm

[CA Big Red]

Thanks Irish_Alley!

[HAULIN IT]

That is the problem with working on a vehicle that is 35-40 years old & that had such a long run of "similar" parts. On the other side...it's great because you can grab a part & use it (maybe you need the whole assy. in some cases) to fix up your project.
What happens is, what a person thinks is "correct" isn't because often times, many people, over many years changed this, that & the other for a reason to suit the needs/desires at that time.

One thing that doesn't help matters in the above pictures is that the Gray truck is "dressed" like a '78, but has the '79-up hood farther adding to the confusion. Lorne

[bake74]

blue hood is 73-78 gray one is 79-80, after 80 is the other style of front end

     Irish, I hear what you are saying, but in the pics above my post, and in vile's post on hoods, the words are opposite.  The description on the blue hood say's it is smooth, but clearly you can see the lip and the description on the grey hood says it is raised but clearly in the pic it is smooth.
     Just trying to get both post to match up, that is all.
     My 74 k10 has the raised lip on the front of the hood, so I am not saying that it is wrong, I just read this post first and then vile's post on hoods and what is being shown and said in both post is different that is all, just wanted to get it straight so no future problem could arise with confusion.

[Captkaos]

In the post I made it is labelled correctly and the information in the other post that I put is exactly the same.  The 73-78 is smooth.  The 79-80 has the lip.

Where are you seeing opposite?


edit Just for clarification the images I posted were for HOOD reference ONLY.. 

Chris Lucas
73-87chevytrucks.com
captkaoscustoms.com
squarebody.biz

[CA Big Red]

I do like that grill on that grey rig with the chrome trimming it out.  I think I'll have to start looking for one of those too.