1968 hood springs
 

I guess this is probably a common issue. The hood will not stay all the way up. It drops down at least 12" from the full up position you can hold it at. I replaced the springs with new ones from Ames with the same results.

Anybody use a shorter or stiffer spring ???

I have even thought about tack welding a few of the coils together. It bugs the crap out of me when it droops down. Earlier I lubed the hinges and of course it even got worse.

Thanks for any ideas.

Larry.

I added the skinner volvo spring in the middle and it helps and can not been seen. Also here of people using 2 gen springs. I can't remember which volvo spring. Maybe the 240. I would have to search on the site to find which one.

I used the smaller diameter Volvo 240 springs inside the pontiac springs. You really can't see them unless you look and they hold the hood up.

I tried 70-81 springs from NPD, no change. I'll be looking for these volvo springs next. It pisses me off! ; )

Did you try lubricating all the pivot points? Maybe a friction issue.

We had the same problem with our '68. We ordered the later model ('71-'81) hood springs from the Ames catalog, which fixed the problem Ames part # is FD302, at $13 each.

Yes I heard never to lube the hinges too from the guy that rebuilt my hinges.

Did you notice what the springs look like with the hood fully open? My springs look like they have very little tension left, like they are too long? I used 70-81 springs, but i took off what I thought were GM 67-69 springs.

I think they are pretty well collapsed withe the hood open.

The person that sold you the hinges & said not to lube them......wants to sell you another pair when they wear out prematurely! [ unless they use sealed ball/roller bearings ]. Did he say not to lube the door hinges as well???

The pivot points carry the weight of the cantilevered hood. If the pivots did not wear out, there would no market for the factory style style hinges.
I lube my hinges every 6 months. When you get the hood sticking up at the back corner, & adjustment won't fix it, that is the tell-tale sign that the hinges are worn. Lubing them then is too late.....

I think that's the issue, no tension to hold it open, because there is nothing left? Plus when the hood is closed, they are fully stretched out. 50 year old springs vs new, reproduced crap.

Thanks to everyone for all the replies. In my case the skinny Volvo springs are going to be the fix. I could only find one on Ebay so I bought it and installed it tonight.

With just one installed the hood stays up much much better. Almost to the very top with just adding one spring. I will of course install the 2nd one when I find another.

Thanks to everyone.

Larry

I replaced my 40 year old 1968 springs with new 1968 springs and that fixed the problem.

Did you find some original GM springs or use the reproduction units ???

Thank you, Larry.