Hood won’t stay up?

[GTS61]

I installed the original hood on my 61 and it won’t stay up. I even bought new springs. Any idea’s for me?

Thanks
Greg

[AZKen]

If you are sure you have the springs mounted correctly:
Either they sold you low quality springs or your hinges are too loose. You can pound on the pivot rivets to tighten them or get new hinges. They should be pretty hard to operate by hand when off the truck.
One other small point. It could be possible that you have grooves worn into spring brackets which don't allow spring to stay stretched. This, together with Chinese springs, may be at fault. Would be nice to find an original used pair. Made in USA in 1961.

[GTS61]

Thanks Azken!! When I pulled the old springs off it seemed the same as pull as the new ones. Must be my hinges they seem to have a little to much play in them. Order is on it’s way. I greatly appreciate the help I get on this site!!

[AZKen]

Let us know if new hinges solves it.

[GTS61]

New hinges and new springs and hood still won’t stay up on it’s own. Don’t know what to do except put a block of wood behind a hinge:-(

[Funky61]

GTS61; post a photo of your current hinge set up.

[GTS61]

I’m trying to upload pics on my iPhone. Taking me some time for some reason

[GTS61]

7038

7039

[AZKen]

Two observations (hard to see, but):

1. Hook on end of spring at fender bracket looks stretched out of shape. Don't know how you installed but possibly deformed that end hook and there is not enough contraction of spring now.

2. Spring looks completely closed, expect to see some space between coils, confirming comment 1.

3. What is the glob on hinge near where spring attaches? I zoomed in on that area and see a reflection or some glob?

4. You painted the new hinges, correct? Is this pic with new hinge and new springs?

It seems now that it has to be the springs. So because they are cheap, get new ones. Install as follows:
Prop open hood just enough to perform procedure. Hook spring onto hinge. Attach a chain to other end of spring using a "quick link". Use a long enough chain to stand back a ways, wear safety head shield. Pull on chain by hand, or a lever bar, and hook spring on fender bracket. Unscrew quick link. Be sure quick link opening fits over spring wire diameter. If you have an angle grinder you can always cut off the quick link with a grinder...or skip the quick link and cut off one chain link when finished. You can use any method you wish to attach spring to chain provided it does not interfere with hook going into bracket and is removable.

I actually hooked the chain onto a truck in front of the GMC and stepped on the chain to stretch spring. Hands free method, probably easier and more controllable. I think that way I was able to guide/force/use pliers ...to get the hook into bracket. All kinds of ways to prestretch spring, not needed, too much fabing.....just use a chain and pull.

For reference, can you state the vendor and the part number of springs and hinges. Also; the method you used to install springs twice.

[LEWISMATKIN]

I agree. Even old springs should hold up the hood. Seems to me that these springs have lost all their tension. I know that the first gen. hood (1960-61) does weigh more than the second gen. hood (1962-66) but the spring part number is the same from 1960-1966, 1000-6000 series standard cab trucks.

[GTS61]

Yes these are new springs. I could drill a new hole in the the inner fender and pull the spring more instead of the hole that’s there. I also replaced the inner fenders if that changes things. Just trying to think up ways to get it to work. Thanks for the idea’s!!

[AZKen]

Yes these are new springs. I could drill a new hole in the the inner fender and pull the spring more instead of the hole that’s there.

That would probably work but watch your chin when opening:prof: