Hood props
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From: Ventura County, CA
Hood props
Among my long list of "want/need/gotta do's" has been the desire to have hood props. My hinges and springs aren't bad, though they do "sag down" about 4" below max open. In talking to John Townsel, FTE bretheren, he sent me a couple of salvage yard hood props out of I don't remember what? I tried to make them fit using their stock footing plates and angles, but to no avail.
I also wanted/preferred that they not impede front or side ingress/egress into the engine compartment. I hate maneuvering around that darn rod. It always seems to be right smack dab in the way!
Solution: I located an OEM hole in the rear cross brace of the underside of the hood. I measured the distance, at an angle, from the hole to the top of the fender, never moving the footing location far enough forward so as to impede ingress or egress to the engine from any angle. I cut to length (about 17") then welded on a washer approximately 1/4" from the tip of the hood prop rod, thus creating a "nipple" for the rod to seat itself into the OEM hole. I allowed for a little "slop" so I could remove the rods from the holes; making sure I didn't measure the rod length with the hood shoved all the way open with all my might!
Of course I grinded, primered and painted the props (they're drying as I submit this thread!). I have the little square plastic clip that the rod snaps into that holds it in place when the hood's down, but I haven't figured out how to drill a square hole yet (!), so I'm going to shop Napa or similar for a clip that screws in versus one like I have that snaps into a square slot. Gotta keep the little buggers from rattling if possible!
If anyone would like to see pix, please E-mail me and I will send them to you. (I still haven't been able to figure out how to add a gallery to my already existing one here on FTE, though I'm not sure hood props warrant the use of hard drive space!).
Total cost:
2 hood props from salvage yard: $10
time, primer, and paint: about 30 minutes + $1 in primer/paint
having custom hood props & NOT hitting head: PRICELESS !!!
Daryl
I also wanted/preferred that they not impede front or side ingress/egress into the engine compartment. I hate maneuvering around that darn rod. It always seems to be right smack dab in the way!
Solution: I located an OEM hole in the rear cross brace of the underside of the hood. I measured the distance, at an angle, from the hole to the top of the fender, never moving the footing location far enough forward so as to impede ingress or egress to the engine from any angle. I cut to length (about 17") then welded on a washer approximately 1/4" from the tip of the hood prop rod, thus creating a "nipple" for the rod to seat itself into the OEM hole. I allowed for a little "slop" so I could remove the rods from the holes; making sure I didn't measure the rod length with the hood shoved all the way open with all my might!
Of course I grinded, primered and painted the props (they're drying as I submit this thread!). I have the little square plastic clip that the rod snaps into that holds it in place when the hood's down, but I haven't figured out how to drill a square hole yet (!), so I'm going to shop Napa or similar for a clip that screws in versus one like I have that snaps into a square slot. Gotta keep the little buggers from rattling if possible!
If anyone would like to see pix, please E-mail me and I will send them to you. (I still haven't been able to figure out how to add a gallery to my already existing one here on FTE, though I'm not sure hood props warrant the use of hard drive space!).
Total cost:
2 hood props from salvage yard: $10
time, primer, and paint: about 30 minutes + $1 in primer/paint
having custom hood props & NOT hitting head: PRICELESS !!!
Daryl
Last edited by DS59F100; Jun 25, 2003 at 03:29 PM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 932
Likes: 9
From: DFW, TX
Hood props
Daryl,
Sounds like you've solved your problem. On drilling the square holes, I know that the Eastwood company sells some square hole punch tooling that you drill a hole, put the tooling on either side with a bolt through the center. Tighten the bolt and "snap" you have a square hole. Can't remember how expensive, but they would sell one or the entire set.
Good Luck,
Kent
Sounds like you've solved your problem. On drilling the square holes, I know that the Eastwood company sells some square hole punch tooling that you drill a hole, put the tooling on either side with a bolt through the center. Tighten the bolt and "snap" you have a square hole. Can't remember how expensive, but they would sell one or the entire set.
Good Luck,
Kent
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Ventura County, CA
Hood props
Originally posted by fatfords
Daryl,
Sounds like you've solved your problem. On drilling the square holes, I know that the Eastwood company sells some square hole punch tooling that you drill a hole, put the tooling on either side with a bolt through the center. Tighten the bolt and "snap" you have a square hole. Can't remember how expensive, but they would sell one or the entire set.
Good Luck,
Kent
Daryl,
Sounds like you've solved your problem. On drilling the square holes, I know that the Eastwood company sells some square hole punch tooling that you drill a hole, put the tooling on either side with a bolt through the center. Tighten the bolt and "snap" you have a square hole. Can't remember how expensive, but they would sell one or the entire set.
Good Luck,
Kent
Daryl
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,440
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From: Ventura County, CA
Hood props
Hey everyone,
I just added a "hood props" gallery. So if you're interested, take a look! (man, I hope it worked... I just uploaded it! Oh well, here's hoping.... !)
Daryl
I just added a "hood props" gallery. So if you're interested, take a look! (man, I hope it worked... I just uploaded it! Oh well, here's hoping.... !)
Daryl
