Hello Everybody! Got the 69 Firebird painted this year and replaced the hood hinges in the process. The body guy warned me that the hood had cuffed him in the head a couple of times, he thought the springs on the reproduction hinges were weak. I wasn't having any problems until the weather turned a little colder, now the hood does not want to stay up. There are some NOS springs (supposedly) on eBay, but one listing says they are a 26 coil, one says they are 28 coil springs. Does anyone know the right part number and the number of coils? I would also like to know if you think replacing the springs is the right thing to do in your opinion. Many thanks!
I had my hood hinges rebuilt by Wilson Antique. They sell the correct GM springs. I think they are 29 coil. That is what he quoted me. He sells for 35 set. They work great and they hold the hood well. Here is the link. http://www.hoodhingerepair.com/
use the "Viagra" method....I had my springs replaced , only to go bad in about 6-8 months...weaker new springs.. the final solution was to use the Volvo method ,they added a heavier hood in the 80s to the 240 model...they kept same springs just added an inner spring... find a mid 80s Volvo 240 on a junk yard ,get the inner hood springs...you can just use a pair of pliers , pull and release ,then fish them out...insert into the GM springs the same way...they dont show up...(unless white or silver, as Volvo springs were painted body color...if they do show up, just paint grey or black before you insert them...I had inserted mine over 8 yrs ago now...and were still working fine when I sold the car last month
I had the same sag in my hinges, it was recommended that I keep the hinges but get 70-81 TA springs. I did just that and it doesn't sag anymore. They are a little wider coil but work great.
Link also contains others successes and failures. Including my attempt at 2nd gen springs (OER repros) which was a complete failure and waste of money...those springs were much worse and weaker than the original springs. Why it worked for others like Ragu and not me I have no idea...unless it was the fact that I picked OER brand.
Thanks, sounds like these are hard to find. There is a Volvo recycle seller on eBay which may be a lead to find some used ones. Any other ideas about where to find some? The other option is a seller selling chrome plated NOS Moroso 70-81 springs for just over $100 on eBay.
Crazecars you may have a heavier hood than what I have installed on my bird? The coil is shorter than the other repos I bought when I replaced the hinges back in 04, Mine came from Ames about 9 yrs ago and they sagged 6 months after I installed them. Remember we went through this discussion in the spring? I just replaced them about 6 months ago with 2nd gen springs so far they are still OK. If I should need to go the Volvo rout, there is a lot of volvos here where I live, I may just grab them just to have on hand.
Just wanted to give an update. Thanks Bjorn for the tip. I just went straight to the Volvo dealer and ordered them. Just stuck them on and the hood stayed stock still in all positions! Hopefully the fix lasts as long as it did for others. Thanks again
