1976 K10 Non OEM hoods

[jobberone]

Well the shop fixing my old and now son's 76 K10 bent the non-OEM hood and blamed him for not telling them it was non-OEM and/or the springs were stock. I put that hood on 5-6 years ago so it managed to survive like that for awhile.

Anyway, it has to be replaced regardless of fault or fiscal responsibility.

Anyone have any recommendations for a non-OEM replacement that will hold up? Should I change the springs? BTW, I've looked locally for an OEM hood and they're all trash. I figure around a $1000 for the hood, freight, dent repair and prep, paint and clear coat and install.

I'm willing to help him put a decent hood on. The truck is a truck with a 383 dual plane intake and Holley 600 or so carb. Not opposed to a raised hood IF that is stronger but not necessary. Fiberglass ok IF it is stronger....not sure about that.

Thanks.

[TKCR]

have you check on this website?

http://www.car-part.com/index.htm

Someone just sold a NOS hood in the parts section, just the other day. It was in Virgina

[jobberone]

Originally Posted by TKCR

have you check on this website?

http://www.car-part.com/index.htm

Someone just sold a NOS hood in the parts section, just the other day. It was in Virgina

Yes, this was one if not the first site I went to. When you call you might get a different story as in the condition of the piece or its availability. In fairness I called 5-10 only.

We'll keep looking there.

[TKCR]

Did you see this?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7894166

[S10Fan]

Auto Metal Direct (AMD) lists one for 199.99, my experience with AMD has been very positive.

I have an aftermarket hood on my 80 C-10 with new hinges, and supports similar to those found at LMC. I've had zero issues with my hood as in durability or fitment. These trucks weren't perfect from the factory, most of us aren't going to spend hours aligning panels for daily drivers.

I was the guy referenced above that was selling an OEM hood, had it listed for 5 years IIRC, $300.00. The hood was still in the box. Anyway, it's gone, I ended up selling it to a close friend for a 77 he recently bought.

[TexasJeff]

Goodmark brand is also very good. I had one on my truck, I did notice the center of the hood would vibrate a little going down the road, and the OEM never did that.

[S10Fan]

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

Goodmark brand is also very good. I had one on my truck, I did notice the center of the hood would vibrate a little going down the road, and the OEM never did that.

I seem to remember a glob of sealer or something that was mashed between the hood skin and inner structure.

[jobberone]

Originally Posted by S10Fan

Auto Metal Direct (AMD) lists one for 199.99, my experience with AMD has been very positive.

I have an aftermarket hood on my 80 C-10 with new hinges, and supports similar to those found at LMC. I've had zero issues with my hood as in durability or fitment. These trucks weren't perfect from the factory, most of us aren't going to spend hours aligning panels for daily drivers.

I was the guy referenced above that was selling an OEM hood, had it listed for 5 years IIRC, $300.00. The hood was still in the box. Anyway, it's gone, I ended up selling it to a close friend for a 77 he recently bought.

Originally Posted by TexasJeff

Goodmark brand is also very good. I had one on my truck, I did notice the center of the hood would vibrate a little going down the road, and the OEM never did that.

Thanks guys. My truck doesn't need a cowl hood but one manufacturer said they were heavier and stronger than their other hoods so I may go with that. If it's heavier I'm thinking I'll be ok with the stock hinges. What do you guys think?

[cadillac_al]

I know I gotta start listing some hoods after reading all these threads. The hood should close with one hand and shouldn't bend with one hand. I think once you oil the hinges your new hood will be fine. I've got 7 or 8 squares and none of the hoods are bent.

[S10Fan]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

I think once you oil the hinges your new hood will be fine. I've got 7 or 8 squares and none of the hoods are bent.

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner! Yes, oil/lube on the hinges is your friend. Funny how we will wash wax scrub and otherwise clean our trucks all day, yet we rarely oil door and hood hinges.

[jobberone]

Originally Posted by cadillac_al

I know I gotta start listing some hoods after reading all these threads. The hood should close with one hand and shouldn't bend with one hand. I think once you oil the hinges your new hood will be fine. I've got 7 or 8 squares and none of the hoods are bent.

Originally Posted by S10Fan

Ding Ding Ding! We have a winner! Yes, oil/lube on the hinges is your friend. Funny how we will wash wax scrub and otherwise clean our trucks all day, yet we rarely oil door and hood hinges.

The OEM don't normally bend. The aftermarket do. When I had the truck I oiled the hinges but that was after getting a hood bent several years ago. The one on the truck now is an aftermarket and lasted 5-6 years until recently bent by another service person. The truck was given to my son about a year ago.

Will 73-80 work on my 76? Can I bolt on an 81-87?

[S10Fan]

Originally Posted by jobberone

Will 73-80 work on my 76? Can I bolt on an 81-87?

73-80, Yes......81-87, No. There is a slight variation on the leading edge of the hood in the 73-80 model years but they fit and close just fine. The later hoods are different and will not fit at all.

Someone else can chime in as to the slight difference in the earlier years, I think it's 78 79 80 that are different.

[Nessmuk]

Plus I've seen hood stiffeners. Looks like angle iron mounted to the hinges and out under the hood.
The guys selling cucv parts usually have good factory metal on hand.

[El Dorado Jim]

i have owned square body trucks for over 30 years,the original hoods will bend easily if you don't keep them oiled regularly...I have seen alot of them over the years...there is an aftermarket brace you can add to the hood that will help prevent them from bending, I have added these to mine just to help keep them from bending...I think LMC and truckandcarshops carry them http://truckandcarshop.com/