i was just looking through my owners manual for my 55 and it has a picture (and section) of the hood release mechanism and it shows it should have a spring that pushes it up.......i understand your problem as my 55 2nd 4400 series big bolt has no hood springs on the hinges (and weighs probably close to 200 pounds) and is really hard to open.
1949 Dodge Coronet 1955 2nd Chevy 4400 1.5 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1955 2nd Chevy 3100 1/2 ton 1957 Chevy 5400 LCF 2 ton 1966 Dodge D100 Sweptline 1968 Chevy P20 stepvan 1969 GMC LWB pickup 1972 GMC Sprint 1974 CP30 shorty bus There are three things that I've learned never discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin.----Linus Van Pelt Trying to understand the behavior of some people is like trying to smell the color 9  | 
