Is there a way to tighten up my hood hinges? They hold the hood ALMOST all the way up. Either I'm gonna have to stick a broom handle in the thing when I'm working on it, or I'm gonna have to get a hardhat. I must have whacked my head a million times on the frigging hood latch tonight while changing spark plugs and battery cables.

I also got some fresh oil in the old girl. The PO must have had straight 30 weight in her. With the new 5W30, new plugs, and good spark, she fires and runs better. I just won an auction for a Pertronix Ignitor tonight, so I'm hoping that will help some more.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the condition of the old spark plugs. No oil fouling, dry, with a nice light tan coloring. Not bad for 177K miles.

 

A new set of springs should tighten them up.
Russell
1968 F250 LWB 300-6

FORD=First on Race Day
#88 Dale Jarrett-9th in 2002
#21 Elliott Sadler
#97 Kurt Busch-3rd in 2002
#28 Ricky Rudd-10th in 2002

 

I have the same problem plus I can see some play in the rivets that hold them together. I am going to take them apart and put bushings in if necessary, then put them back together with bolts.

 

>A new set of springs should tighten them up.
>Russell
>1968 F250 LWB 300-6
>
>FORD=First on Race Day
>#88 Dale Jarrett-9th in 2002
>#21 Elliott Sadler
>#97 Kurt Busch-3rd in 2002
>#28 Ricky Rudd-10th in 2002


Don't the springs help to close them?

 

The springs help to open the hood.

 

Hi,

The springs help open the hood and keep it at it's full open height.
As they age they get weak and the hood will sag. That is why we get
the knots on our heads when underneath.
I'm on my third set of hinges, each was either bent or was sagging badly.
I found each set at the bone yards when out searching for other things.
When I go to the yard I always look for another set. I have seen MANY
fords with the back of the hood not seating well due to bent hinges and
they all sag after a while. The suggestion of the new springs is the best idea. They can be found in several ford parts catalogs. The best price I have seen is in a catalog that they always edit out of posts here on this site.
I have found on my own hinges that if they bind at all when you close your hood you better lube them, they WILL bend. Then if the springs are weak as most are when that old they will sag more due to the lube having freed up the hinge. You will need the new springs then. The new springs aren't that expensive either. I haven't invested in a set yet but intend to do so. I have to think that they will help, after all they couldn't be any worse than the old sagging set, Right?
I have even considered creating a prop rod similar to what other vehicals
have to support the hood, but I don't like having them in my way. So, I'll try new springs first. I think you should too.
Good luck, hope this helps, and watch your head.

Hawkeye

 

Thanks for setting me straight fellas - and you're right Hawkeye, I just sprayed 'em with some white lithium grease....

I shoulda bid on that set on ebay last week....

Great handle, Hawkeye - I'm from Iowa...

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Dec-02 AT 10:17 PM (EST)]GO HAWKS !!
It's all ORANGE this year!
Grew up in Iowa City.
Glad to be of some help.

Hawkeye

 

>GO HAWKS !!
>It's all ORANGE this year!
>Grew up in Iowa City.
>Glad to be of some help.
>
>Hawkeye


I grew up in Iowa City as well - live in Urbandale now. Been going to Hawk football games since I was 6 (in '64). My younger brother played for Hayden from 83 to 88.

 

Hey that's cool.
I bet your brother had a blast doing that.
We both know most Iowa boys dream of playing ball for the Hawkeyes.
I know I did. I'm from Coralville, graduated from West.
I did like you, went to all the games with my dad. I idolized Ed Podalak
back then. Born in '58 hence my handle number.
Went to all the games during about the same times you did.
Moved to Las vegas in late '87.
Now I enjoy the weather and work on my truck, and try my best to catch any and all Hawkeye news out here in the west.
Great chatting with you and good luck.
You'll see me here from time to time as I read and post here daily.
Hope to hear from you some more in the future.
Take care.

Hawkeye

 

Scary - I was born in 58 as well - I went to Regina, but my siblings went to City High. I was just in Iowa City today.

 

You say you are running 5w30 oil and the motor has 177K miles. I am not that oil savy, but I did not know that older motors especially those with greater bearing clearances should run with the newer low weight motor oils. Is the 5w30 just for winter, or can you run it all year round? In southern Califrornia I run 20-50 oil in summer and 10-40 in winter.

 

>You say you are running 5w30 oil and the motor has 177K
>miles. I am not that oil savy, but I did not know that
>older motors especially those with greater bearing
>clearances should run with the newer low weight motor oils.
>Is the 5w30 just for winter, or can you run it all year
>round? In southern Califrornia I run 20-50 oil in summer
>and 10-40 in winter.


Hi Sully.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/DCForumID7/1617.html

this is a discussion I started over in the FE engine conference. I am getting the same response from some of the folks over there. I listed the oil voscosity specs from the owners manual in that thread.

Thanks