Hood problems and fix?

[rusty76]

So my '76 has the bad case of the bends. It has obligatory bow and crack in the center edge of the hood due to the hinges. I am going to replace my hood anyhow but before I do that what should I do about the hinges to keep this from happening again. I've see the angle peices used to support the hood and all but surely there's something better. Any thoughts and what did you do to solve that problem. Thanks.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Lmc sells hood support brackets for this.

You have taco hood syndrome your hood is folded like a taco shell lol
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[asphaltburner]

When you buy your new hood, if you have good hinges, keep them lubed,...if not, buy new hinges with your new hood. Keep them lubed and your new hood will be just fine.
FRANKENTRUCK got new hinges and a new hood at the same time. I keep the hinges clean and lubed and it all works just fine on a regular basis. My new hood came reinforced at the former "weak spot" that was meant for protection of the driver in a collision (guess that means it could decapitate me in a collision,...HA! I just don't intend hitting anything head on).
In the mean time you can use angled steel to bolster the hood bend on either side.
Todd.

[THE "10" SILVERADO]

Originally Posted by asphaltburner

When you buy your new hood, if you have good hinges, keep them lubed,...if not, buy new hinges with your new hood. Keep them lubed and your new hood will be just fine.
FRANKENTRUCK got new hinges and a new hood at the same time. I keep the hinges clean and lubed and it all works just fine on a regular basis. My new hood came reinforced at the former "weak spot" that was meant for protection of the driver in a collision (guess that means it could decapitate me in a collision,...HA! I just don't intend hitting anything head on).
In the mean time you can use angled steel to bolster the hood bend on either side.
Todd.

Yeah, I had a set of those "reinforcement" plates but the guy doing my bodywork told me about how having those on there would keep the hood from buckling in a head on collision and how it could send the hood through the windshield. I opted for new hinges and lube....

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by THE "10" SILVERADO

Yeah, I had a set of those "reinforcement" plates but the guy doing my bodywork told me about how having those on there would keep the hood from buckling in a head on collision and how it could send the hood through the windshield. I opted for new hinges and lube....

Huh interesting to know
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[hatzie]

I don't think the braces are a good idea. The Hood is designed with a weak point to fold up in a front end collision rather than decapitating the occupants.

Lube the hinges with a synthetic penetrating spray lubricant like Wurth HHS-K. Penetrating lubricant is a grease dissolved in a volatile light solvent carrier. The solvent carrier allows the grease to flow into tight spaces and then evaporates leaving the grease behind. WD Kroil etc are not this class of lubricants because they evaporate completely.

Work the hinges using the kinked hood for leverage till they operate smoothly all the way up and down. Once they are operating smoothly put an undamaged hood on and keep em lubed up.

[GM-power]

My hood had a small crease in that area when I got the truck. I use liquid wrench lubricating oil on the hinges and it doesn't bend anymore.
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[hatzie]

Originally Posted by GM-power

My hood had a small crease in that area when I got the truck. I use liquid wrench lubricating oil on the hinges and it doesn't bend anymore.
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Liquid Wrench is a penetrating oil not a lubricant. It completely evaporates leaving nothing with lubricity behind...
Penetrating lubricants are a heavy grease with a light fast evaporating solvent carrier. When the solvent evaporates the lubricating grease is still there.

[GM-power]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Liquid Wrench is a penetrating oil not a lubricant. It completely evaporates leaving nothing with lubricity behind...
Penetrating lubricants are a heavy grease with a light fast evaporating solvent carrier. When the solvent evaporates the lubricating grease is still there.

Liquid wrench has a line of penetrates/lubricants. They have a lube oil and a separate penetrant. I've used lq wr for awhile and like their product.
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[rusty76]

I kept my hinges lubed and all I just don't want to put another hood on it and it go to crap. I wondered if the springs were the root of evil here? And if there are or are replacement springs different than the ones that came factory. Thanks.

[Seventy]

Originally Posted by rusty76

I kept my hinges lubed and all I just don't want to put another hood on it and it go to crap. I wondered if the springs were the root of evil here? And if there are or are replacement springs different than the ones that came factory. Thanks.

My hinges were shot, and the hood wouldn't lay correctly, also worried about bending it. Heaven forbid I spend any of my go fast budget on new hinges, so I just pulled the springs, and use a prop rod. Works good...only a lil heavy.

[GM-power]

What of you straighted it out and put some welds on it to keep it and slightly reinforce the hood. I think the hood wood still buckle some in the event of a collision.
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[rusty76]

I thought about welding it but the hood is already bent from one a Santa's deers. So I had intention of replacing it but was more worried of putting another hood on and the same thing happens again. You could very easily weld these cracks up but I seem cracking right back though. Did think about doing that before the deer......

[frog210]

Aint you also suppose to push your hood in instead of pull it down also?

[asphaltburner]

Geeze,...if I get my FRANKENTRUCK involved in a head on, I hope it decapitates me!
You guys are paranoid.
New hood, lube the good hinges or get new ones and keep them lubed,
WD 40 does not lube, it's a penetrating oil. Use grease or oil.
This is a no brainer!
Todd.

[motornut]

i got a taco ,with mine has 3 pins so i don't loose my head
later years have a corner bracket on instead(seperate cowel type)
oil lots of it

[wileecoyote427]

i know harwood makes a set of low tension springs for their bolt on glass hoods not sure if theyd work with the steel hood and id use the hood braces on a steel hood they recommend some self tappers for install if you hit something hard enough to crumple the hood youd shear them off

[krazy_texan]

My understanding is that the later 70s trucks where more rigid at this point than the earlier ones from the factory while they still will crease in the middle they are stronger so maybe that's something to look into as well
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[rusty76]

I'll do.

[man7sell]

This is perfect, because my hood folded on the driver's side when I closed it. I was going to weld a stiffener by readying here will dis-wade me. lubing the hinges looks like the way to go. My though was to replace the hood because I don't think I will every get it straight again. Of cause if the replacement is as good as the factory, theoretically it should last many years before bending as this one has lasted since 1974.... Right?

[rusty76]

Wow this thread came back from the dead. Cool. I feel sure I could straighten my hood out and support it were the bend is. Mines not terrible but not far from being bad either. On the other side thanks to a deer many years ago it got bent in the front right corner and looks like dung now. Oh well. But I feel if you do what these guys suggest you'll be good to go. Good luck.

[cadillac_al]

I can't stand a stiff hood. If it doesn't close easily it needs some oil.