Hood supports

V

vern hodgson

Well-known member
Gentlemen, I there a consensus of opinion as to whether hood props are a real asset, and if so, in the expert opinion of those who have them, which is the best??
 
I have them and they work fine for just propping the hood sides open. But if I want to work on the engine I do like most folks do, lay a towel over the closed half and open the other side all the way and lay it on the towel. More room and more light,
 
springerpete said:
I have them and they work fine for just propping the hood sides open. But if I want to work on the engine I do like most folks do, lay a towel over the closed half and open the other side all the way and lay it on the towel. More room and more light,
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My car came with hood props when I purchased it, and I use them frequently. I can see where placing a towel over the closed half could be useful, but I’m thinking that would eventually stress the paint around the hinges and set up rust, at least on my car. Maybe other cars are different.


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I also have them but it’s not as if you use them every day. But then again I don’t drive the car everyday. Usually used just to check the oil.
 
I have this type in both of my Model A's, and I recommend it.
 

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Bob Bidonde said:
I have this type in both of my Model A's, and I recommend it.
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That is what I have on my Victoria. The props do work pretty well. However, I remove the hood if I plan to be working on the engine area for an extended period of time.


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I only use them for situations where I need to open both sides of the hood at the same time. It's not that often, but when you do want to do it, it's very nice to have them.
 
If you don’t keep them tight, they can cause a rattle that is hard to find. Just tap on your radiator supports and see if they rattle.
 
I am glad someone asked the question. I haven't been able to decide whether they would be a help or just in the way. Seems like a good choice for when you want to get to both sides like when you are torquing down the head. I can do that from one side but it is nice to have better access to a couple nuts on the driver's side. I like to read threads to learn new things about these cars.
 
My truck came with a "home made" set made from wood. They did do the job intended, but they more of an irritant for me than they were an asset. I found that I was constantly bumping my forehead on them and they always seemed to be in my way. I removed them.
 
You can make two very simple ones. Bend a steel wire into a backwards "S" (hook), one end hangs to the rad. support rod, other end wraps around bottom edge of hood to the handle. Put a length of spaghetti tubing on wire to keep from any scratches. It works well and a gust of wind won't disrupt things either.
 
My car had them when I bought it. I will leave them on but if I didn't already have them I wouldn't get them.
 
Bit of a head banger with both sides propped up, but saves a lot of trips back and forth when the addled old fool forgets to close up the other side before moving over the one he wants to work on. That's the reason the addled old fool bought it.
 
Jacksonlll said:
If you don’t keep them tight, they can cause a rattle that is hard to find. Just tap on your radiator supports and see if they rattle.
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Last year I bought a 1929 Fordor but one problem I couldn't figure out was it had a horrendous loud vibration in the dash / firewall area that happened while driving. It was really bad and I just couldn't pinpoint it. Recently I removed the Hood support from the car because I don't use them. Guess what? That terrible vibration magically went away. I didn't even connect the dots about it until I read Jackson's post.
 
My ‘28 has small bracket on the side of the radiator, so I can put the front part of the hood in and open both sides at the same time. To open full, just lay a rubber mat or towel on the closed side and the open side is open full.
 
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