When I started on my new to me ‘55, I thought the hood springs were sort of weak, so I ordered some new ones. They were slightly weaker than the old originals. I went to the Hdwe store and found some springs that looked like they might fit if modified some. I shortened the extra length and made the curve on each end similar the the existing coil spring, took the original off and inserted the new, smaller ones inside and hooked them back up. The new spring hooks fit into the existing original grooves, a little grease in there and all set. Tried a few dozen times, worked great, hood much easier to open. Try it.
Ed
'37 GMC T-18 w/ DD 4-53T, RTO-610, 6231 aux., '95 GMC running gear, full disc brakes, power steering, 22.5 wheels and tires. '47 GMC 1 ton w/ 302, NP-540, 4wd, full width Blazer front axle. '54 GMC 630 w/ 503 gasser, 5 speed, ex fire truck, shortened WB 4', install 8' bed. '55 GMC 370 w/270, 420 4 speed, grain, dump bed truck from ND. Works OK.
Ace Hardware sells the full size springs, too which are probably good for the AD truck. They're $10/pair instead of $79 from the restoration places.
Putting a baby helper spring inside the old ones a good idea.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe |1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1969 Pontiac GTO (The Dishpit) I 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)