hepkat63 Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 Hi, I was wondering if anyone has ever setup some gas struts to open their hood on a 1954 plymouth (or similar) . My hood springs are shot and of course, the hood won't stay up. Yes, I know I can use a broom stick! Figured someone , somewhere must have made this sort of change (or to a similar car setup). i have some generic gas struts, but can't get them to work as the design of the hood means it doesn't shut straight down, it kind of slides back a few inches as it is shutting (which of course pulls on the strut mounts). thanks! Quote
desoto1939 Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 I know in the states there are venders that specialize in hood hinge repair and rebuilding. Not sure if there are any in Australia. I would suggest that you try to do a search on automotive Hood Hinge Repair and Restoration. It might be costly but then you will at least know that the hood will stay upright and not be of any issue. If you want to have an antique car then sometimes you have to pay an expert to do the work when you do not have the proper tools and work experience or even and proper way to work on the car safely. Just my $1.00 worth of input. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com 1 Quote
hepkat63 Posted February 1 Author Report Posted February 1 1 hour ago, desoto1939 said: I know in the states there are venders that specialize in hood hinge repair and rebuilding. Not sure if there are any in Australia. I would suggest that you try to do a search on automotive Hood Hinge Repair and Restoration. It might be costly but then you will at least know that the hood will stay upright and not be of any issue. If you want to have an antique car then sometimes you have to pay an expert to do the work when you do not have the proper tools and work experience or even and proper way to work on the car safely. Just my $1.00 worth of input. Rich Hartung desoto1939@aol.com thanks. Yes, I did think of that, however was hoping someone might have another solution too. Quote
vintage6t Posted February 1 Report Posted February 1 I've used the attached link and formulas from other similar sites to successfully calculate strut force, length and mounting position for a number of applications. That includes hood struts for my brother's 52 F100. The key is to think about how the particulars of your hood relate to the given diagram. If I remember correctly the fixed mounting point of the strut will be down below the hood somewhere on the inner fender not at the top of the fender. Again if I remember, the moving end of the strut that's mounted on the hood will be located somewhere along the hood length between the firewall and hood center point. I might be able to get a picture of the f100 install but it may be a day or two. https://www.tghmarine.co.nz/stainless-gas-struts/how-to-calculate-gas-strut-lengthforce-required-and-positioning 1 Quote
andyd Posted February 2 Report Posted February 2 Hepcat......get a copy of Oz's Street Machine magazine & contact some of the advertisers also places like Rare Spares might be able to suggest somewhere, as FX-EK Holdens use a similar hood closure arrangement.........I can't offer any direct experience as my Oz 40 Dodge has side opening hoods......andyd 1 Quote
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