Hood is higher near the cowl...spring problem???

[kickinasphalt]

On my new 71 K-10, the hood sits higher in the back near the cowl. Its the same way across the width of the hood. Is this just the springs being old or something?

[shortymac83]

it might be out of adjustment. Mine is misadjusted on the driver's side, so that it stays up at the cowl all the time. you push down on it, and it closes a bit more, but it hits the cowl with about 1/2" to spare.

[Randy70C-10]

Loosen all the hinge bolts where the hood hinge bolts to the fender, have a buddy lift up on the hood while you tighten them back down. This works about 75% of the time. If it doesn't work then you need new hinges.

[Longhorn Man]

While Randy's advise should do the trick, the normal problem is worn springs and/or hinges.

[rickspickuppart]

It can't be a worn out spring if it is high in the back, for the springs to be worn out they would have to stretch out of shape and then they would fall off of the hinge in the open position (since they are only extended when the hood is closed). IMO there are only 2 things that can do it

1) hinges out of adjustment

2) worn out hinges (around the rivet locations)

Shawn

[shortymac83]

wait a sec...aren't the springs extended when the hood is closed?

[supercheyenne]

Originally posted by shortymac83
wait a sec...aren't the springs extended when the hood is closed?

No. The best way to remove the springs is to put big nails in between the coils and lower the hood. The springs with then simply "fall" off because they can't compact with the hood.

That's the easy way to remember for me at least.

[Huck]

Reread what Randy said and do it. Most times and I mean most times, the hinges can be old, crappy and a wee bit worn and you can still adjust them to bring down the rear of your hood to align with your cowl. the trick is to put a little extra upward pressure when you have all the hinge to fender bolts loose and to tighten them before you release this extra upward pressure on the front of the hood. Just be careful when you do this that the front to rear alignment of the hood doesn't change and pinch paint off the hood to cowl edges. Trust me, it works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 Be sure to follow on this post if it works so we can refer back --for others with the same problem.

[tom hand]

Originally posted by shortymac83
wait a sec...aren't the springs extended when the hood is closed?

Hmmm...mine are

[highboy_04]

yeah i think the springs are extended when the hood is closed.

[rickspickuppart]

you guys are right about the hood position after I shut the down the computer last night and went to bed I also realized I was wrong. (I edited the previous post to show correct info)

But anyways it isn't the springs


Shawn

[shortymac83]

the reason the nail trick works is because the springs are stretched when the hood closes and roll off the nails.

[supercheyenne]

Originally posted by shortymac83
the reason the nail trick works is because the springs are stretched when the hood closes and roll off the nails.

I'm going to have to check mine since 3 or more guys have claimed it so.

I could have sworn the springs are extended (out, longest, whatever) when the hood is up. But it wouldn't be the first time I was wrong.

[stingray72]

These suggestions here worked like a charm. Took about 15 minutes to get it adjust exactly right but it was easy. Just loosen the bolts and push up on the hood when open and viola problem fixed. Saved me some money for hinges.

Oh.. and I looked and I believe the hinges are extended when the hood is closed.

[spencra]

On my new 71 K-10, the hood sits higher in the back near the cowl.

Yeah, I have the same issue with both of my 67's. I just chalk it up to alignment since I'm almost 100% sure that those hoods have been taken off and put back on several (hundred) times over the last 37 years.

[67chevemall]

Just keep adjusting it!
It took me about 5 hours to get mine right!
So I didn't have to push the corner down every time I shut the thing!
I had a body pro around the corner help me out for a little something!

[KP1972]

I just took my hood off to paint the underside, removed and cleaned the hinges, now I have the same problem. The hood is high (less than 1/2 ") at the cowl. What is teh quick fix??