53 chevy question?

I have no clue how to get the hood springs back on,anybody have a suggestion?
thanks
Scott
ps. nearly killed myself trying

 

I sent you a pm! Mike

 

Use a floor jack and stretch it out and put pennies between the coils to hold it in that position. Re-install it and when you close the hood the pennies will fall on the floor. Messy but simple.

Bill

 

Never done it myself but I read somewhere that you expand the springs using a floor jack and slip a penny between each coil. When you hook the spring up and open the hood a little more and the pennys fall out.

EDIT: Yup what he said

 

9 times out of 10 the pennies will end up everywhere.

Look here.

http://chevy.tocmp.com/miscellaneous/hoodspring.htm

 

Get you a real big screwdiver mebbe 18 inches long. Hook the spring to the front retainer, and use the screwdriver to lever the back in.

Done it a few times on my 54. Takes some grunting and watch you don't scratch your spring mount/firewall.

Did I mention the screwdriver needed to be real big

Like the pennies idea

 

I've nearly killed myself several times. I finally made a set of installation tools.

 

You can buy a tool from www.nationalchevy***oc.com it's $40, and makes it real easy to remove and install.

 

that reminds me, i need some hood to hinge bolts, anyone got some extras or should i be able to find these at a hardware store?

 

****, that reminds me that I don't even have hood hinges or springs for this '53 that's about to be ready for the sheetmetal to go back on, haha. Oh well, picking up a another '53 and '54 tomorrow, they'll have some.

Cool trick for the springs, though.

 

hey texas, if you end up needing some springs i think i may have an extra set

 

Thanks hood, I think the '53 and '54 I'm picking up tomorrow can lend some springs and hinges, but I'll hit you up if it comes to it. Thanks.

 

Just did mine the other day...Used the floor jack method, but broke up paint stir sticks to use in between the coils...I figured the less metal flying the better.

 

Never heard the pennies trick. I always use the BIG screwdriver thing with a sock over the end to keep from scratching the paint. It ****s. I'm going to buy a set of those tools if I keep up with this style car.

 

I tried the big screwdriver method and got nowhere. Now, the floor jack idea sounds great. I'm going to make one of those tools and try it tonight.

As far as hinge bolts, are you talking about the ones that go on the hood or the ch***is? One is real easy to find, the other is hard.

 

Thanks everyone I got em with 3/8 studs and the floor jack.
G***hole