Questions about installing fiberglass hood
#2733769
01/16/20 10:27 PM
01/16/20 10:27 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220 West Plains, MO
DrCharles
OP
master
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OP
master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220
West Plains, MO
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I just got a nice 6-pack hood (from AAR) for my '72 Dart Swinger. It's pretty straight, but seems to be just a red hair smaller than the original steel hood, so the gaps are more visible. (The paint isn't even close to matching, even though it was done by the same guy who did the fenders with the same gun... but a different can of Calypso Red 252 made at the same supplier. Sigh. But that's another story). My car was missing the seal between the cowl and the hood. There's apparently supposed to be one: https://www.steelerubber.com/hood-to-cowl-weatherstrip-70-1640-43Does this mount on the car or on the hood? Screws or trim adhesive? Also, on the steel hood, the chrome trim that runs across the front edge was secured to the underside with small sheet metal screws. The glass hood does not have a row of holes there. Should I carefully drill small holes for the screws, or use trim adhesive? I'm worried about splintering the fiberglass. It does save quite a bit of weight, obviously much better carb/air cleaner clearance, and lets in cold air so that's good even if the color's not perfect Which reminds me of another issue... I ordered lightweight hood springs and did specify it was a bolt-on hood, not a super-light race weight piece. But they still aren't nearly strong enough to hold up the glass hood (28 lb). Did I get the wrong springs? There was only one way to put them together on the hinges.
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Re: Questions about installing fiberglass hood
[Re: DrCharles]
#2734033
01/17/20 11:04 PM
01/17/20 11:04 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,719 Bend,OR USA
Cab_Burge
I Win
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I Win
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,719
Bend,OR USA
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All the original AAR Cuda and T/A Challenger I've open the hoods on would not stay up either, you had to hold them up yourself I have seen guys change those springs to get the hoods to stay up and the hoods will start to bend at the end of the hinge, my original hood was like that when I bought it used from another T/A owner so I would use a saw off broom stick to hold the hood up when I wanted to check or work on something under the hood Same thing on my old Duster with a race weight lift off Duster hood with a 1968 SS/AA scoop made on it, I molded in some aluminum T on the rear to use the stock hinges with the springs removed instead of having to worry about it using it as a lift off hood
Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
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Re: Questions about installing fiberglass hood
[Re: Cab_Burge]
#2734040
01/17/20 11:21 PM
01/17/20 11:21 PM
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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,220 West Plains, MO
DrCharles
OP
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OP
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West Plains, MO
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The race-weight hood would definitely bend under any kind of spring pressure - they are designed as lift-offs. But this one is intended to be used with the stock hinges, although with lighter springs It's relatively heavy-duty (28 lbs weight) and I'd be surprised if it would bend with appropriate springs. Anyway I'll probably make a prop rod rather than go to the trouble of attempting to remove the hinges and change springs again with the fenders on.
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Re: Questions about installing fiberglass hood
[Re: IcorkSOAK]
#2734067
01/18/20 03:27 AM
01/18/20 03:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,122 Auburn WA
Dave_J
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master
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Auburn WA
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Toss the springs and do the prop rod BUT BE SURE to have that rod hooked into the hood so wind can’t catch the hood while up Lots of prop rods for Subaru Outbacks are long and have a hook on the end.
Retired, US ARMY 1973-1994 ASE mechanic, Electrical 1994-1997 Retired GTE/VERIZON/FRONTIER 1997-2015
Posting cheap tech help (CRAP) here since Nov 97, 1000's of posts, some may be good.
03 Suzuki Burgman 650(Burger King) Scooter 65 Formula S Cuda 78 Little Red Express Truck 98 Buick Regal (wifes car)
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Re: Questions about installing fiberglass hood
[Re: Dave_J]
#2734068
01/18/20 03:34 AM
01/18/20 03:34 AM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,632 Florida STAYcation
IcorkSOAK
Financed his waterbed
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Financed his waterbed
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,632
Florida STAYcation
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Toss the springs and do the prop rod BUT BE SURE to have that rod hooked into the hood so wind can’t catch the hood while up Lots of prop rods for Subaru Outbacks are long and have a hook on the end. Good call ... how long is that rod? The CarrotVan and the Chrysler 200 have nice hooks on them
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Re: Questions about installing fiberglass hood
[Re: IcorkSOAK]
#2734089
01/18/20 09:56 AM
01/18/20 09:56 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,016 Richmond Twp. Mi.
Mr340
super stock
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super stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,016
Richmond Twp. Mi.
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not familar with dart hood hinge but if your hinge has these holes you can make up a bracket like this to hold the hood up,, make two, one for each side. no spring or prop rod needed.
Last edited by Mr340; 01/18/20 09:57 AM.
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Re: Questions about installing fiberglass hood
[Re: DrCharles]
#2734164
01/18/20 12:46 PM
01/18/20 12:46 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,455 A collage of whims
topside
Too Many Posts
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Too Many Posts
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,455
A collage of whims
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You might try a prop rod from an '80s Toyota pickup or similar; you can mount one end to the inner fender/rad support gusset and with a clip, it can rest along the inner fender flange. I like 340's hinge trick, but that won't work on A bodies. As for the molding, depends on the area you're drilling into, may be fine. Would've been better to mock that up before paint, but the 'glass is likely pretty strong at the leading edge, especially if it's double-panel. You could try cheating the hood/fender match by painting the fender tops (backtape the top ridges), but it may also mismatched at the cowl, which might mean going up the A-pillars.
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Re: Questions about installing fiberglass hood
[Re: Mr340]
#2736107
01/24/20 01:13 PM
01/24/20 01:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,714 Shopping @ HoBo Fright
340SIX
Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin
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Doc Flappergas's Evil Twin
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 28,714
Shopping @ HoBo Fright
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not familar with dart hood hinge but if your hinge has these holes you can make up a bracket like this to hold the hood up,, make two, one for each side. no spring or prop rod needed. That is what I did but made 6 {2 part open, 2 half open and 2 all the way open} and had my guy plate them.
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Re: Questions about installing fiberglass hood
[Re: 340SIX]
#2736137
01/24/20 01:55 PM
01/24/20 01:55 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,201 Eagle, Idaho
Neil
The Doctor is in.
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The Doctor is in.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,201
Eagle, Idaho
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Weatherstrip is held in by snap in clips. They might crack the glass pushing them in. Not sure you really need to install it.
I would install hood pins while you at it.
Hood hinge springs can be pried out if your careful. They might be under tension so maybe stuff some rags back in there to keep them from going someplace you don't want them to go.
I'd have the hood repainted so it matches. Shame on the painter for not doing his _____ job. If he can't match it then he should refund your money.
Last edited by Neil; 01/24/20 02:05 PM.
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