Bent hood

[chrismoore701]

I have a 79 c10 with a bent hood. Freshly painted just did not catch the bow before I installed it. Thought about the lmc braces then all you guys said they could kill me. So I figure I better listen. What do you guys think about stress cuts along the inner structure. And then weld back after I get the bow out. Watching *****in rides and figure if they can do something similar. I can to

[true74enduro]

How about some pictures

[UKNOWME]

Kill you????? I installed those braces on my new hood after painting it to prevent from bending.

[chrismoore701]

Originally Posted by UKNOWME

Kill you????? I installed those braces on my new hood after painting it to prevent from bending.

The location those braces go are right over the crumple zone you brace that and take a hit in the front the hood will go straight back instead of bending and shear the roof off and everything else in the way

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

The location those braces go are right over the crumple zone you brace that and take a hit in the front the hood will go straight back instead of bending and shear the roof off and everything else in the way

Wow, never thought about that. Interesting that they haven't been removed from the market. Hope I don't get in a crash.

[true74enduro]

Slight bends holes that are from the factory are a crush or bend zone. They are designed so that the damage shouldn't go into the cab and hurt or kill the occupants inside.

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by true74enduro

Slight bends holes that are from the factory are a crush or bend zone. They are designed so that the damage shouldn't go into the cab and hurt or kill the occupants inside.

Makes sense

[chrismoore701]

Here are a couple of pics. I don't think it will work because of the edge of the hood

[chrismoore701]

Pic of the bow. I think I have bad hinges as well

[chrismoore701]

Pic of bow after I pushed the hood down

[true74enduro]

Do you weld? That should be an easy fix base lines style lines flanges are key to keeping panels in line and sharpe.

[chrismoore701]

I do

[MountainGoat1966]

I am trying to avoid the bent hood syndrome on both of my squares by keeping the hood hinges, latch, etc all well lubed.
I have enough other things to spend time and money and labor on.
In dash stereo and new seats are more important.

[nonstop]

And you said you were done.....

[Pontiac1976]

Well that not to bad of a bent. (Keep your hood hinges lubed.) Get a 4x4 about 2 to2-1/2' long, have tear cloth, cotton cloth ( or both softest on the bottom) under the 4x4 put it dead center on the bend across it 2or 3 pounds sled med hits till it moved enough. Oh sand the edges & corners round so it does leave any marks from edges make sure flat to the hood when hitting. The Paint has to be pretty hard when you do this or it may put a flat mark on the paint. ( Then it up to you if you never rear end or get a really hard hit in the front. The Is bent it is stressed right now it will bend the next time it’s hit hard I might bend to much still go through cab a different way because it weaker now. 50 % chance life do badly hurt ( New hood would be the safes route, but it’s up to you how lucky are you what why you want to play with your chances. "DarkGreen" If you do try the hit There still a chance you might have to touch up the paint.

How Lucky Do You Feel Punk! love that Quote:

[chrismoore701]

I have a Spare hood that needs some work. But trying to avoid repainting. I just finished the build. So may wait until the winter just in case I mess it up

[Gmc.guy]

I prop the hood up and pull the springs off Then lube them and work hood up and down and lube again. Then pop springs back on. You can pull them down with 2 fingers after that Works well on trucks that have been sitting for a long time This truck got the "dam 6 cylinder" and hood slam I think before I got ahold of it Shame it's a perfect hood other than the bow NOS hoods are hard to find. I collected doors and fenders for it so far Body will be this winter on this one

[Gmc.guy]

^^ check out the rusty/bent frame Finally found one to replace it

[87 STEPPER]

It's the spring's that are the problem on the early gen hood hinges they are way too strong it's not so much the hinge as long as the rivets are tight and there isn't a lot of rust between the links keep 'em lubed. you should be good.

I remember seeing something somewhere about weaker replacement spring's for this problem but I don't remember where cuz it really didn't pertain to my gen truck.

I had friend's that had these truck's back n the day and they just removed the springs all together and just used a prop rod. I know it don't look good but it beats the bowed up hood look.

Maybe think of trying to find a pressurized hood strut and play around mounting them to the hood with the old spring removed.

I did this on my harwood Cowl Induction hood.

[87 STEPPER]

Here's a pic



If I can do this with a glass hood it should be able to be done with a steel hood.

I have a steel cowl ind hood and I hope this strut will be strong enough to hold it up.

[Front Range]

Originally Posted by 87 STEPPER

I remember seeing something somewhere about weaker replacement spring's for this problem but I don't remember where cuz it really didn't pertain to my gen truck.

On the Harwood Site they recommend a #210 spring for the Harwood brand hood. Summit sells the 210 spring for 40-ish bucks.

I read a thread somewhere else were a member recommended a prop rod with low tension springs. Apparently with any kind of breeze the hood would come down and swat you if the spring would hold it up at all. Never done it so I can't confirm the validity of that statement. I'm guessing somebody will have to be a 40 dollar guinea pig for an accurate answer.

[cadillac_al]

If you can't close your hood with one hand then you have a hinge problem. If you guys are bending hoods with one hand then you have above average strength. I guess the moral of the thread is to just oil your hinges every year or two.

[chrismoore701]

The damage to the hood was before I installed it. I did not notice it until it was too late. The hinges are lubed. I know need to know how to fix the bow

if it is possible

Thanks

[Front Range]

Originally Posted by chrismoore701

Well I think the plan is to wait until winter. Try to straighten it. The back up plan is that I have another hood behind the garage that is fracked at the crumple zone.

Chris I've heard of guys using either 2x4 wood or 1/4" steel sections, sandwiching each edge of the hood between the 2 pieces and using 3 big C-clamps per side (2 on each end and 1 in the middle). Tighten the end clamps first and then slowly tighten the middle clamp at the bend - squeezing the bow out.

You might try that method on the spare hood behind your garage and see if you can get some decent results. If it works then try it on the painted hood with a protective layer between the paint and material.

[UKNOWME]

I think most everyone would buy it! The 81-87 trucks didn't have hood issues.