52 chevy hood hinge springs

The hood on my coupe will not stay up without a prop rod. I am guessing that it needs new hinge springs. Can they be changed without removing the fenders? I have seen the video using the tool made from a piece of rebar to spread the spring. They put the springs on and off with no fenders on the car looks easy. Is it even possible with fenders on? You can't even see the bottom attaching point on the cowl. Also the back of the hood at the windshield is too high. Can the hinge be adjusted with the spring tension in place or not?

 

yes they can be changed without removing the fenders. probably had the fenders off for clarity in the video you saw.

I would be suprised if the springs are the problem unless they are obviously stretched or otherwise tweeked. probably a messed up hinge

 

Hinges that are over 60 years old can get sloppy, your need good tight hinges. I don't think they make new ones, but you can check with the Filling Station of Chevy's of the 40's.

CRUISER

 

I thought that I took pictures but cant find them. I made my own tool using 1" angle iron 11.5 " long and it had thick flat washers welded on each end. I used the floor jack trick to stretch the new springs. Once stretched, I inserted the tool and SLOWLY lowered the jack. If you do it to fast the tool will shoot across your shop. As precaution I used a hose clamp around the stretched spring and angle iron. Once it is stretched you can insert on the hood spring bracket with the fender on.


** To take the old springs off, raise the hood. Insert tool and slowly lower the hood almost to close. You have to reach inside along the edge of the fender as the hood will have to almost be closed to get the spring to stretch enough for the tool to work. I wore safety gl***es and leather gloves in the process. You can get hurt.


The youtube video does work well for guidance. Type this in "hood spring removal instructions" and check out the 3rd video down. Fenders are installed.

 

I have always just used pennies to remove the springs.

Does your hood have undercoating? Mine does and is a tad too heavy for the springs.