The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Hood won't stay up

We had the hood hinges powdercoated, now the hood will not stay up on it's own. Could the heat from powdercoating affected the tension in the springs? Went to our first cruise Saturday and had to use a hood prop to keep the hood up. Any way to adjust the springs? Hate to buy a new set of hinges. Hood fits perfectly, but just won't stay up!!

hinges need friction between the parts at the rivets that pivot them, I don't think powder coating would be a good thing ... the easy test would be a new set of springs, but I'd think the hinges are the problem

Bill

There's no way to adjust the springs that I know of. Powder coating gets to about 400deg F. I don't know if that would rob the springs of their temper or not. I replaced several hood hinges back in the day & the new ones didn't have a LOT of friction at the joints but Bill could be right about the springs being designed for a little. I agree that the true test would be replacing the springs with new (uncoated) springs & see what happens. If you want them colored you might try some spray paint.

Coach,
I put brandy new hinges on mine, whatever finish came on em i left as is ...an they BARELY hold my hood open..you jossle the truck around with the hood up it will come down quick!...Im just wonderin if the aftermarket hinge springs are just THAT aftermarket JUNK?...or are yours factory?
Tim

Mine are factory, Tim. They were OK before the powdercoating, but now they won't hold at all. I guess I will just use the prop rods for awhile. I hate to mess with the hood again since we got a nice fit the last time!

Did you coat the springs? Do you have any current pics of the hinges with springs?

Yes , we did coat the springs, will take some photos and post them.

Some photos of the hinges,Tiny.


http://s159.photobucket.com/albums/t160/sworden73/

Hood hinge springs used to be a dime a dozen at the salvage yard. Prolly hava hard time finding them now though.

Try Hoodagra.

WARNING: If your springs can't keep your hood up more than 4 hours, please see a mechanic. Although hood openings lasting for more than 4 hours may occur rarely, as with all spring treatments in this repair class please be careful. To avoid long-term injuries, it is important to seek immediate mechanical help.

The most common side effects of Hoodagra are blocked vision, getting mad, and upset wallet. Less commonly are bluish vision, blind spots and or sensitivity to jokes about Hood Disfunction may briefly occur.




I AM SO SORRY, I just could not resist. I'm surprized no one beat me to this, esp. with some of these serious jokers!

As part of looking at the nifty new bed you made for your granddaughter, I saw the pictures of your hinges. I think you may have them swapped from side to side. Doesn't the spring go outboard? As you have them mounted, the spring will hit the firewall and not allow the hood to go completely up.

I have my hinges mounted the same way you do, coach-frank, and my hood stays up just fine. By the way, I hope my 53 looks half as good as yours when I'm done with it. You have one fine looking bolt, and should be proud of the job you have done!

I think Tmater might have a good point here. The hinges don't look like they are fully extended. There is a little tab that touches one of the pivoting arms on my hinges when they are up all the way. Just checked. If mine aren't up fully, the hood does not stay up. By the way I have the spring facing the same way as yours. Doesn't necessarily mean it's right though.

Could it be the wrong springs?

I don't think so Doug9656, all the 1/2 to one ton trucks are the same parts, I don't know if the big bolt hinges would be different or not.

This topic is almost 1 1/2 years old - I think he's already fixed it by now.

Yep I fixed it by picking up a used set of springs and painting them. I still believe the powder coating caused them to loose their tension and strength. I put the new springs on the same way and now the hood stays up. Thanks Guys!
Coach Frank

oops, I looked at the month/day but ignored the year.