Does any one know any tricks or tools to put the original hood springs back on my 49 Chevy coupe?? Tanks Braddah
There have been tech posts on how to do it, and make the "tool" to help. In short, you cut a piece of 2" or so tubing in half longways, weld some fender washers inside one half, extend the hood spring on a floor jack, then clamp the 2 halves of tubing around it, with hose clamps. Washers should be spaced far enough apart to keep the spring extended enough to install on the car. Use a tape measure. Safe, and easy. Just need a welder.
I wired them into a bumper jack, stretched 'em out, and put pieces of rod between the coils to keep them out. Put them in place and pull out the rods. It takes about 10 3" rods per spring, and they are tricky to hold in place while you back the jack down, I ended up taping them in place. Have seen fixtures like a length of half-pipe with washers welded in the ends to hold them stretched, but never built them.
I saw one method with a 14" piece of re-bar notched with a V on one end and drilled concave on the other end. Stretched to length with a floor jack and the rod inserted. I subs***uted a piece of 1/2" ss seamless tubing 035. Made me nervous with that stored energy but worked fine. There is a good video on Chevy Talk. I hope this helps.
If they are still on the car, open the hood all the way, put washers in between the spring coils then tape em up, Close the hood and the springs stay stretched and should come right out. Replace, remove tape, spend a few minutes picking up washers and your good. Works in a bind if you dont have, or cant make that "tool" .
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