The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop hood hinges

I'm trying to replace my hood on a 51 GMC, but I'm having trouble getting the hood springs back in their respective holes. Is there some easy way to compress the springs?

that's a good idea, but my springs are different from those. These are like the "thermostat" style springs and are connected to a bar at each end of the spring so that when the hood closes the spring becomes tighter.

I used a few xtra hands when I mounted my hood ..had my son an some of his freinds over lottsa hands to hold the hood an a very little pryin the springs werent a prob. this is definatelly a a job ya dont do your self ...need support.
Tim

you know what I was doing? Trying to put the springs on turned around the opposite way that they go. I struggled with trying to get them on the wrong way for about an hour..... then remembered I had my GMC manual....went back and had it bolted on within 10 minutes.... I was looking at your pictures in your Photobucket. I'm thinking that is a custom made headliner. Am I right?

As my wife keeps reminding me, "if all else fails, read the directions".

I've heard it said "Real Men Don"t Read Directions" I have found the other side of that statement "Until they waste a couple of hours trying to do it their way":mad:
Harold