52-54 Ford & Mercury HOOD HINGES...Is there a fix???

Anyone who has ever had one of these cars is likely to have dealt with the poor design and problems that come from these hinges. Has anyone ever found a solution? I'm trying to find another hood hinge that can take the place of the stock one. Even if it has shocks or no springs at all, I don't mind using a prop rod. Has anyone got a better idea? Thanks

 

I had a 54 on the road for eleven years. I havnt a clue what you refer to when you say poor design. If they are in good repair, and lubricated, they open, hold the hood up, and close. I think you may have some that have been rusted, locked up, then forced and bent. Find some good ones, make sure the springs are good, and replace the bad ones you have.

 

good luck finding some good used ones. i see then on ebay every once in a while and they are not cheap. i think theres a place in new jersey or somewhere close to it that rebuilds and restores used hinges. anyone have info on that place?

 

as i think about it, i think there were variations hinge styles for the different years 52-54. i could be wrong though.

 

I just took out the springs and left the hinges. fabbed up a prop rod and it works well.

 

If I remember correctly, www.54ford.com had a reference fo someone that rebuilt these - probably not cheap.

 

blah hate these hood hinges, i paid for 150 for a pair, pain in the *** to put them in and the second time i opened and closed the hood they bent and had too buy another pair for the same price and worked out, i think i have to more that just came with another merc that i just bought unsure condition

 

Do a search on shoebox hinges, '49-51...someone in the last couple of days posted a neat hinge swap for those that looked very adaptable to other cars.

 

Thanks Bruce, looks like it's worth trying those. It's a pain to find two springs with equal strength, pull a fender off to change a hood hinge, or to find a NOS spring can still be too weak to pull the rear hood corner down flush with the fender.

 

yup my corner sticks out on the new merc gotta push it down

 

there is a company that rebuilds them i believe its about 590 bucks though.my buddie ran into this.i believe they are in new york or something.oh yeah and a 150 core charge............lets just say no hood for him yet.crazy eh?!

 

Here's the linkto the other thread,, its actually pretty easy.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=204616&highlight=shoebox+hinge+****