Stupid hood bend?

[nova801428]

Well, my  hood is bent or creased in the middle from the strong chevy hood springs.  Anyway.  This is on my 75 Chevy k20, and I was wondering if people removed the springs and attached a pole-type stand to hold the hood up, then you wouldn't have to worry about the hood being bent in the middle

[scpscpscp]

I placed the metal supports between the springs and the hood plus kept the springs oiled.  This seems to have solved my problem after buying the new hood.

PS.  I think your idea will work but if the support gets loose while you are under, it is going to leave a MARK.

[baddogg79]

That is what I did for my fiberglass hood. Popped off the springs, and for right now using a broom handle to prop it up. Then Im going to get a adjustable prop rod from my local parts store. I did this too on my 94. Harwood said that you can use the stock springs, but it just bent the hood.

[VileZambonie]

They make low tension springs but I would suggest taking the hinges and lubing them up real good. Install the supports on your new hood and you should be fine.

[nova801428]

I have the supports from my old hood, should I just buy new ones or use the old (my old one really is not bent, it is the new hood I got is bent, not new, used)  Anyway, are the supports supposed to be welded on or bolted on?  Thanks

[Fordeatinz71]

hey man, i know i mentioned it before, but i figured i'd mention it again.  you might be able to kinda salvage your new hood.  just bend it straight again...then, while making sure it doesn't move again, weld your supports in place, which should hold it in position and not allow it to bend anymore...

then find those low-tension springs VileZambonie was mentioning, lube your hinges REALLY well and you should be good to go...

[nova801428]

Not any more.  I popped my hood and when I was putting it down I totally forgot about it, and I bent it way worse.  I think I'll just get a new one....eventually.

[Fordeatinz71]

Not any more.  I popped my hood and when I was putting it down I totally forgot about it, and I bent it way worse.  I think I'll just get a new one....eventually.

OUCH!  i've done that before, on an old '73 i was working on.  this is another good reason/time to upgrade to the 81-87 front clip with the upgraded hinges!  but, if you love your style front end, at least get the lo-tension front springs VZ was mentioning or a hood prop setup...or maybe be a BAD and fabricate some upgraded hinges?

[ccz145a]

Where does one get these low-tension springs? I have not seen them.

I have managed to keep my springs and hinges well oiled for the last 16yrs, but I know how common this problem is. I just finished a lot of work on a salvaged pre-79 hood without the lip. It looks sweet and I want to keep it that way.

Thanks.

cp

[nova801428]

I wouldn't mind changing the front end.  I could care less what it looks like (only the 2 though)  Which ever I find for Cheaper, or is cheaper to buy, is the one I am getting. 

[Fordeatinz71]

Where does one get these low-tension springs? I have not seen them.

I have managed to keep my springs and hinges well oiled for the last 16yrs, but I know how common this problem is. I just finished a lot of work on a salvaged pre-79 hood without the lip. It looks sweet and I want to keep it that way.

Thanks.

cp

ya'll will have to wait for VileZambonie to chime in on that one...i've never heard of 'em myself...but it makes sense that someone would offer them...ya know?

[nova801428]

If they were low tension, how would the hood stay up?

[Fordeatinz71]

because you don't need all that tension to keep the hood up...the original springs are overkill

[nova801428]

Agreed.  I was thinking of getting a hood scoop hood instead of a normal hood, would this bend occur with this type of hood?  I might just make it classic though, since the hood is $300 more.

[Fordeatinz71]

not really, the cowl hood is already reinforced to prevent the bending problem...and even with the cowl, weighs about the same...