Springs for fiberglass hood

[harryb]

I have a fiberglass hood for my '65 stepside and am having issues finding springs for it. I got some off of EBay that are too weak, and have just purchased springs for the original steel hood, (but haven't tried them yet). Will these original springs be a problem, or will they work?

[Scooter3]

Ive never messed with one of these fiberglass hoods. But, in a logical sense it should work. If you think about it, the fiberglass hood should be lighter then the steel one. Therefore; the springs for the steel hood should just make the fiberglass hood easier to open then a steel hood. But, on the other hand it might make it harder to get shut because you dont have the wieght of the hood to help close it.

[rogers1964]

I have a 4" cowl induction fiberglass hood .I removed the springs altogether was afraid to crackhood when closing . I have seen this happen before

[markeb01]

My son ran a fiberglass hood on an El Camino years ago and fractured the hood with the stock springs installed. They were just too strong and the hood cracked trying to close it. You can see a similar result on many 70's-80's stock steel Chevy truck hoods. If they haven't been lubricated well enough the hood actually folds and kinks just in front of the hinge bolting surface. I'd suggest keep looking for different springs, or leave them off as suggested above. You might check with some of the fiberglass hood suppliers. Some of them sell springs compatible with their hoods.

[harryb]

I was hesitant to use the stock steel hood springs, and have decided to use the weaker springs, and build a prop rod and have it chromed. Thanks for the replies.

Harry

[riverracer]

I would never use springs with a glass hood, I'd just make a prop rod for it!..