hood support...dummy needs help

larry harding

Senior Member
o.k. i just got in one of those nice hood supports the suppliers carry. no instructions, of course. i know the u bolts hold the channel to the radiator brace rods and mount about 4 inches + - from the firewall. there are two sets of the support hooks, short and long, it looks like the long ones are the ones to use??? there are 4 1/4" stainless washers and three black washers (the fourth one is somewhere on ,my garage floor). where do these washers go and in what sequence? i wish there was one close by to look at. thanks!
 
hmm heres what im thinking:

you got the main brace mounted correctly on the radiator rods. I would guess the longer arms would be used for the 28/29 as its got a wider radiator (thus wider hood). But i could be wrong and the wider stands gives the taller 30/31 hood less likely to fall over...not sur eon that

My guess if your looking at the ends of the U channel main brace, from left to right: Bolt head, 1/4 stainless washer, wall of C channel, black washer, arm, black washer, wall of C channel, stainless washer, nut

The black washers are probably plastic so you can tighten down the arms yet still be able to swivel them but they wont rattle and flop as you drive.
 
I like the short hooks for my 31. No need to fold them up ever, they clear the hood open and shut.
 
There should be some nylon washers, make sure you put them between the hooks and the channel and tighten the bolt so they need a little force to rotate them or you will spend days looking for the rattle. Guess how I know.:)
 
I use these hangers, but there is a caution in using them. If they develop a rattle, it is very hard to find it. You can chase the hood and everything else. Easy to fix once you figure it out.
 
I was removing the rear part that retains the hood hinge pin (I needed to remove the hood) .
When I removed the first machine screw , I heard something drop beneath the car . I thought I knocked a loose washer down but as I removed the second screw , I heard the same sound . I fear there must be some way of securing this piece (behind the firewall ).
How do yo get to them .?
 
Long narrow arms and fingers.
It can be done. I've done this job on my 31 years ago.
In the future you won't need to take that retainer off. As I loosen the the braces at the rad and pull the rad forward and slide the hood rod out at the front of the car. Then pull the hood forward and upward. Done . Much easier to re-install this way as well. Good Luck
:) Jeff
 
When I heard that 2nd
dropping sound" , I suspected "the worst" . I thought 2 screws were more easy than the support rods and radiator hoses but ; "Bit Again" .
 
Lowell, I know what your saying. I just slide the rad forward, cause it takes quite a contorsionist to feel up behind the firewall. I believe the nuts for the rear hood retainer are supposed to be caged in a retaining bracket. But they have a tendency to fall out. Jeff
 
I was removing the rear part that retains the hood hinge pin (I needed to remove the hood) .
When I removed the first machine screw , I heard something drop beneath the car . I thought I knocked a loose washer down but as I removed the second screw , I heard the same sound . I fear there must be some way of securing this piece (behind the firewall ).
How do yo get to them .?

As has been said, long fingers and arms. I had the same thing happen but I twigged what was happening when the first nut fell. I used a short piece of flat steel about 1/2" X 1/8" just long enough to drill and tap two holes spaced so they could accept both screws. With quite a bit of fiddling, I got it into place and left it lose while I pushed some epoxy putty behind it. With a little oil on the screws so the putty didn't stick to them, I tightened them and let the putty set. I then put more putty over the steel for good measure, still, I'm careful not to put too much downwards pressure on the thing I put in but so far, it has worked well for the past 6 or 8 years.
 
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