55.2-59 Hood wont lay flat

[popeyestruck]

Last part to assemble on the 59. I put the hood on and it sticks up at the cowl. Disconnected the springs and it lays down flat. The springs are keeping the hinges from rotating all the way. Do the springs pull the hood down normally? Is their function to not just hold the hood up but also close it? Mine seem too weak and wont close or hold it open. When I put them on it wasnt very hard to stretch them into position. Do I need them ? If I just delete them will my hood catch wind? If I buy new springs who's a good supplier?

[Hcb3200]

I will say I believe I have stock springs and hinges on my 1956.
I have always noticed when I close it the cowl end is up about a inch. I go and push it down on both sides. is it supposed to do that? I would think not but maybe. The springs are definitely strong enough to hold it up when raised. And they are definitely not a easy install while on the truck so if yours went on easy then you might want to assess where its connected to spring.

But you got me thinking that maybe at some time the springs and hinges were replaced with something that is not fully doing what it is supposed to do.
I too would like to hear from others who have the same range year of trucks.

[leegreen]

I don't have a TF truck but I believe the secret for that style hinge is shimming the front hinge - hood bolt , it rotates the hinge relative to the hood so the hinge closes further, pulling the cowl edge down more.

I'd suggest looking for a factory manual on old car project site, they are usually pretty detailed about hood alignment.

[Hcb3200]

For the Task Force trucks the Hood installation and alignment instructions are found here

https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.co...55ctsm1103.htm

thanks leegreen for the hint on where to look.

[popeyestruck]

I know about the shimming to get it to lay flat but I dont think it needs it. I put in an AAW kit and the fusebox is held in by the bolts from the hinges. I'll have to remove the fusebox to get to the firewall bolt. It will lay flat as long as theres no springs. I ordered so springs from NPD . They should pull it into place.

[dsraven]

I have new aftermaeket hinges on my 57 gmc. they are certainly not awesome quality but then they look the same as the original ones as far as metal thickness etc. I had the same problem with the hood not sitting down against the cowl properly and one side was worse than the other. I would need to go and push that side down. shimming the lower mount bolt on the firewall side of the hinge causes the hinge itself to go to the fully closed position and when it fully closes it holds the hood down against the cowl weatherstrip. of course the hood adjustment screws need to be adjusted to make a max height adjustment on the rear edge and also the little rubber pucks on the side of the hood also need to be in place along with the adjustment of the X brace under the hood. I would say, if the springs won't hold the hood open then replace the springs but first check that the hinge pivot bushings etc are all in good shape and nothing is bent, just so you don't find out later that things are not all how they should be and the added tension from new springs is causing the old worn out hinges to bind or not work as planned. shimming the lower hing to firewall mount fastener may help you as it enables the hinge to fully close and hold itself in the fully closed position. when in this position the hinge geometry draws the hood closer to the cowl. thats my findings anyway.

[SideStepper]

Dsraven, you stated that you had the same issue with your truck & gave great advice on what to look out for, but I missed the part how you exactly fixed the hood problem on your truck. I am yet another guy, with the same hood/hinge issue.

[leegreen]

I read this as DSRaven's fix, it also agrees with my understanding of this style hinge
"shimming the lower mount bolt on the firewall side of the hinge causes the hinge itself to go to the fully closed position and when it fully closes it holds the hood down against the cowl weatherstrip."

You can shim at cowl or hood, the idea is that the hinge mechanism rotates just a bit more into closed position to pull the hood down.

[1project2many]

I haven't seen MARTINSR (Brian) post here in quite a while. He provided an excellent tutorial on panel adjustment based on years of experience. Basically, if the back of the hood is too high then the hinge needs to be rotated back.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...09&postcount=4

[dsraven]

martinsr has many years under his belt working with autobody. his write ups are very informative as is his advice given over the years. after he moved he must have found less time to post here or possibly found other interests. i wonder if he ever finished his old truck. he had a 15 minutes a day plan that seemed to kepp forward momentum going.