The pressure is greatest when the hood is "CLOSED"

Frank, If it has all that pressure on it, why doesn't the hood pop open when you pull the pins?
It takes a couple of pounds to lift the hood off of the stops before the springs take over.

but it can't because the hood pins are holding it down

Really!!!! You pull your hood pins and the hood flies up?

I tracked down this old thread looking for some steel hood spring info, and thought I'd just bump it to the top in case anyone needs this info. As far as I know, I wasn't able to get the manufacturer to change the labeling, so they're still mislabeled.

Tav

again. Someone in another thread could use this AAR vs. T/A spring info.

Tav

Anyone know if this problem has been fixed?
I just purchased a set of Year One AAR springs and after rereading this thread, I think I may just return them and make a steel bar to hold the hinge open as described.
And return the overpriced springs, as I know they were half that not long ago.
Thanks

ANYONE?

I haven't heard anything new about them.
If you don't like the Year One price, maybe you can find a set elsewhere for less? I think these repro springs used to cost between $50 and $60. Has the price gone up?
Does Year One still have the MOPARTS15 discount going on?

Tav

Time for an update.

I saw a few places outside of Moparts where people were still having trouble figuring out what hood springs to use on the Mopar Trans Am cars.

I looked at Year One again, and they STILL have their springs mislabeled. That's at least 15 years of misleading people.

Vans Auto seems to have their springs labeled correctly, which is nice. Finally a little progress.

Hopefully other places will start labeling their parts correctly in the future.

This picture should make it easier for everyone to know which spring is for which car.

Tav

these came with the single 4bbl AAR hood assembly I purchased last year

un-painted from new (NOS but used) & I'll "ASSUME" the gray stripe is how they were identified on the assembly line

I could be mistaken but I was under the assumption that the TA hood springs were lighter tension than the steel hoods. Glass hoods where lighter than steel i thought.

yes, these springs are lighter duty - they are ~1" inside diameter, the steel hood springs are ~1.5" ID

Yep, Fiberglass hood springs are a lot lighter than steel hood springs.

Additionally, AAR hood springs are lighter than T/A hood springs.
The T/A hood has a big scoop and also goes all the way to the front of the car, so the T/A hood is heavier than the AAR hood.

Thanks for the pic Dan!

A 4 barrel AAR hood assembly? Is that from one of the factory sponsored race cars?
That sounds like an interesting story.

Has anyone bought a T/A spring lately ? I bought a "T/A"spring a few years ago and now know why my hood doesn't stay all the way up. I went to Van's website, it shows one, but no description. His ebay store doesn't list one, it does list a AAR one. I messaged him, hadn't heard back yet. Also, the spring I have definitely isn't an AAR spring, not sure what I have, but for sure it is either too long or not enough tension. Not worried about hood bowing.

update: just heard from Van's, he doesn't have any T/A springs.......

disregard, wrong springs again...

Just thought I'd update this. Van's doesn't have them. Year One has had them on backorder for over a year. Hoover auto parts has them, but they have the usual mix-up between T/A and AAR. With shipping, they're approx. $150. Myself, I'm holding off on paying that.

I would think you would be able to find them at Carlisle next month.

People have mentioned a prop rod. No need for that ever on AAR/TA cars. Look at your hinges, they have pre-drilled holes in them. Take a round stock think 5/16" bend 2 90's in them. Put these in the holes, will have to measure to get an exact length. But it's much safer & looks better than a "broom handle."
Sorry wished I had pictures to show exactly what I mean, but our TA is gone.
But a great fix to a simple issue.
Thanks, Ken