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| | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 17 Junior Member | | Junior Member Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 17 | The hood on my '59 stays up, when open, but falls with the slightest hint of a breeze. And since I really don't like getting my head whacked, I need to know if there's a way to tighten the hood springs, or will I have to buy new springs to solve the problem?
Thanks.
Joe | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 275 | Make sure you have the factory springs and not something a previous owner has put in. If they are factory then you might need new or different springs. I've never heard of a problem like that.
38 original
48 panel
59 stepside
46 in the back forty
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | yes they do get weak, so if they're wimpy you need new ones - not too spendy and readily available
Bill | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 709 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2001 Posts: 709 | I have the same problem with mine even after new (repro) hinges and springs. Using an oiled length of oak dowel as a prop rod at this time.
Bruce
Old Toy: Ol' Betsy stock 59 Apache SB Stepside (Gone but not Forgotten)
New Toy: 1962 Impala SS Coupe
The Driver: 1990 Toyota truck
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | yer right Bruce - the other thing that can cause stay-open problems is the pins in the hinges being worn, tho that will usually cause a problem w/ the hood not remaining down at the back when closed, if the springs are new
w/ new hinges your continued problem is a puzzle, tho maybe the new hinges are too loose? new hinges and springs on my 58 made the hood work like new - as soon as ya click the release the hood pops up to the second catch, and as soon as ya get it past that it comes up nearly on it's own to full up and takes a bit of effort to get it headed back down
Bill | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 709 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: May 2001 Posts: 709 | Bill, my hood will pop up to the second latch ok but not even close to "rising on its own". It raises and lowers easily just shakey on staying up. I was thinking the same thing on the hinge pins and hoping perhaps they may tighten up in time when a little dirt/rust forms. Have thought maybe trying to tighten them up some using a hammer and punch. When I received the hinges they had grease at the pivot points so perhaps some of this got into the joints before I cleaned the stuff off. Don't think these joints are supposed to be lubricated and remember this problem starting 25 years ago when I gave each joint a squirt of oil thinking I was doing the right thing. No problem with the hood sitting correctly in the back.
Bruce
Old Toy: Ol' Betsy stock 59 Apache SB Stepside (Gone but not Forgotten)
New Toy: 1962 Impala SS Coupe
The Driver: 1990 Toyota truck
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | yes they shouldn't be lubed, stiffer is better to handle that spring torque and tension - maybe dust a little of that fine Georgia dirt in'em?  peening the pins might help if done evenly to both sides Bill | | |
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