Hood supports/props?
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From: Ventura County, CA
Hood supports/props?
Has anyone installed a hood support (or "prop") to help hold up the heavy hoods on these old beasts? Mine has good springs, but when I open the hood all the way up, it sags back about 2-3", at which point I routinely BANG my head on the hood latch! You'd think I'd learn after the 50th time, but no, I just keep hitting my head on the gul-dern latch! (input compound expletive now)....Dowt!
Who carries a support rod? or similar? and where/how do I attach it?
Thanks,
Daryl
Who carries a support rod? or similar? and where/how do I attach it?
Thanks,
Daryl
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Hood supports/props?
Daryl,
If you have a salvage yard nearby, take a look at some late model cars with hood props. I took one out of my 86 Buick Century before I had it hauled off just in case I decided to use it at some point. It shouldn't be too hard to fabricate a way to use one on an old truck.
If you have a salvage yard nearby, take a look at some late model cars with hood props. I took one out of my 86 Buick Century before I had it hauled off just in case I decided to use it at some point. It shouldn't be too hard to fabricate a way to use one on an old truck.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Iowa
Hood supports/props?
Originally posted by Bob Perry
I have NEW hood hinges and NEW springs on my 56 F 100 and the hood will not stay up. What am I doing wrong?? Please help.
I have NEW hood hinges and NEW springs on my 56 F 100 and the hood will not stay up. What am I doing wrong?? Please help.
Did you have a set of instructions with a diagram showing the placement of the spring? It is possible to install the spring a half turn too loose on the preload. Make sure you wear goggles in case she flies off the spring tool prematurely.
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From: Valley Center, CA
Hood supports/props?
Hey Daryl, I know what you mean about needing support. I just went to the junk yard yesterday and picked up a nice straight prop rod. I was going to use it instead of the small chrome number that came with my front tilt hood. After returning from looking at all the prop rods at the yard, I figured out why my original was not working correctly. I am glad to say I have now fixed it and do not need the new one. It is about 31" long and I have two types of brackets for it. It's about 1/4" in diameter. If you're interested let me know. John in Sacramento.
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From: Valley Center, CA
Hood supports/props?
I brought home the rod that I thought would look the best for a truck. It's straight with a 90 degree bend on one end. The swivel end has a bracket that can be bolted to a flat surface. I also found an extra bracket that might work better for angles. In addition, I found a small plastic clip for the loose end to rest in while the hood is closed. It will require a square hole about 3/8" in width for the piece to pop into. I realized after looking at so many rods that the majority stay in place by spring tension. That way the rod that is bent at a 90 degree will stay in the holw and not work its way out and drop the hood on you while you are working on the motor. I've invested a whole $5 in the parts. This might be a good pictoral article that alot of effie owners would benefit from. Let me know iff you want the parts, and I'll find out about shipping costs. (I'm guessing $2-3) Then you can write your own article and impress us with your photograhic talents. John
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From: Ventura County, CA
Hood supports/props?
John,
Did you by chance test fit it on your '59? If so, where did you hook the end of the prop to when the hood is up. On later model cars I've owned, there's always some kind of factory notch on th underside of the hood specifically designed for the prop to go into.
Daryl
Did you by chance test fit it on your '59? If so, where did you hook the end of the prop to when the hood is up. On later model cars I've owned, there's always some kind of factory notch on th underside of the hood specifically designed for the prop to go into.
Daryl
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Joined: May 2003
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From: Long Lake,MN
Hood supports/props?
Originally posted by fatfenders
Bob
Did you have a set of instructions with a diagram showing the placement of the spring? It is possible to install the spring a half turn too loose on the preload. Make sure you wear goggles in case she flies off the spring tool prematurely.
Bob
Did you have a set of instructions with a diagram showing the placement of the spring? It is possible to install the spring a half turn too loose on the preload. Make sure you wear goggles in case she flies off the spring tool prematurely.
Thanks for the reply.The hinges came with the springs already installed. I think that I will try re-winding the old springs on the old hinges as you suggest, maybe that will give me a clue to figure out if that will work. Now I have to think about an ingenious way to wind the springs without the things flying all over the shop.
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Valley Center, CA
Hood supports/props?
Are the springs adjustable? If you come up with a way to do it, please pass it on. It's kind of scarey thinking of the spring coming loose just as you're pulling on it. Daryl, I have a 54 f100 that I was going to use the prop rod on. For yours I would guess that it could be bolted to the valance or the inner side of the hood. If there is not enough lip there, then perhaps the addition of a small piece that could serve as a platform. If there is no place for it to lay flat, then you could heat and bend as necessary. I was going to lay it down the side of the fender with the snap piece positioned close to the end shaped like an "L". Good luck, John
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From: Waynesville, OH
Hood supports/props?
... I think that I will try re-winding the old springs on the old hinges as you suggest, maybe that will give me a clue to figure out if that will work. Now I have to think about an ingenious way to wind the springs without the things flying all over the shop.
Bob,
I'm glad you are thinking about keeping those springs from attacking parts of your body (and your truck's) you might want to use later. Probably not the killer's that garage door springs are, but for goodness sakes put on some face and eye protection, heavy gloves, and maybe a cup.
Bob,
I'm glad you are thinking about keeping those springs from attacking parts of your body (and your truck's) you might want to use later. Probably not the killer's that garage door springs are, but for goodness sakes put on some face and eye protection, heavy gloves, and maybe a cup.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Iowa
Hood supports/props?
Mid Fifty sells a tool. It amounts to a piece of exhaust pipe larger diameter than the spring, 6-8 inches long. Cut a small notch in it to accept the spring lip. drill the other end of the pipe through both sides so you can put a screwdriver through it and twist. Full body armor still required. I launched one even with the tool.
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Hood supports/props?
"but for goodness sakes put on some face and eye protection, heavy gloves, and maybe a cup."
I'm visualizing someone with coveralls and wearing a cup on the outside of them - oh, and with one of those old time welding caps..
BWAH,HA,HA....
I'm visualizing someone with coveralls and wearing a cup on the outside of them - oh, and with one of those old time welding caps..
BWAH,HA,HA....
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From: Ventura County, CA
Hood supports/props?
Originally posted by johntownsel
I brought home the rod that I thought would look the best for a truck. It's straight with a 90 degree bend on one end. The swivel end has a bracket that can be bolted to a flat surface. I also found an extra bracket that might work better for angles. In addition, I found a small plastic clip for the loose end to rest in while the hood is closed. It will require a square hole about 3/8" in width for the piece to pop into. I realized after looking at so many rods that the majority stay in place by spring tension. That way the rod that is bent at a 90 degree will stay in the holw and not work its way out and drop the hood on you while you are working on the motor. I've invested a whole $5 in the parts. This might be a good pictoral article that alot of effie owners would benefit from. Let me know iff you want the parts, and I'll find out about shipping costs. (I'm guessing $2-3) Then you can write your own article and impress us with your photograhic talents. John
I brought home the rod that I thought would look the best for a truck. It's straight with a 90 degree bend on one end. The swivel end has a bracket that can be bolted to a flat surface. I also found an extra bracket that might work better for angles. In addition, I found a small plastic clip for the loose end to rest in while the hood is closed. It will require a square hole about 3/8" in width for the piece to pop into. I realized after looking at so many rods that the majority stay in place by spring tension. That way the rod that is bent at a 90 degree will stay in the holw and not work its way out and drop the hood on you while you are working on the motor. I've invested a whole $5 in the parts. This might be a good pictoral article that alot of effie owners would benefit from. Let me know iff you want the parts, and I'll find out about shipping costs. (I'm guessing $2-3) Then you can write your own article and impress us with your photograhic talents. John
Thanks,
Daryl
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From: Valley Center, CA
Hood supports/props?
Hey Daryl, No rush. I remeasured last night and the rod is 33" long and the end is different than I remembered. It has a "V" on one end and the bracket on the other. It sort of looks like
v----------- Good luck, John
v----------- Good luck, John