1957 hood alignment

[Alan K.]

Seems theres quite a number of early C1 corvettes with the front of the hood (front of the car) sticking up above the surround, maybe because of aftermarket hood springs? The articles and information I've heard/read say to cut the aftermarket springs to make them softer. I was thinking I saw an article once that described how to align the hood without cutting the springs... Can anyone shed any light on this? Is there somewhere to buy springs of the same weight as original? I have the servicing guide which has some level of detail but doesn't cover this.

[Joseph L.]

Re: 1957 hood alignment

Hi Alan
My 57 came with three different wire diameter springs for the pop-ups and male hood pins (3/32, 7/64, 1/8). The 1/8 spring on the hood pins causes the hood to slowly work up an inch. The other side with the 3/32 spring stays closed. A local guy bought new male hood locks and his hood does not stay closed. They appear to be the 1/8 springs. I obtained male hood locks from Paragon and they came with 1/8 dia. springs. I obtained two different p/n springs from Dr. Rebuild and they were 1/8 dia.

I have looked at original assemblies and they appear to be thinner than the 1/8 springs.
Does anyone have a source (other than used assemblies) for 3/32 springs?

Joe

[Rod K.]

Re: 1957 hood alignment

Alan,

Check out Roy Braatz's post #8 in the following thread. Believe he once stressed that some realignment of the hinges by shimming under the hood mounting bolts might help as the hinge is intended to go "over center" and pull down as they reach their final closed position and they're pretty sensitive to that position. I don't know of a source for these springs but did a fair amount of tweaking on my '57 including making my own springs with equipment I had access to at work some years ago. Car is not accessible right now or I'd recheck wire dias, etc., for you, but keep in mind that cutting coils will INCREASE the spring rate, not soften it. The shorter length may result in lower force at the installed height, but the compressed (closed) height may end up being higher force. Smaller wire dia, more coils, less compression will all yield lower forces all else being equal.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...hood-alignment

[Alan K.]

Re: 1957 hood alignment

Thank you guys, looks like I'm going to have to do some thinking/parts sourcing before I put the hood on. I know the aftermarket popup springs I have are pretty heavy duty compared to the originals.

[Chris S.]

Re: 1957 hood alignment

I take original springs and install them in repro assemblies - I buy used assemblies that would not pass judging and remove the springs
Stand an original and a repro side by side - there is a difference.
The original springs are weaker and not as thick
When you go to open the hood - it is easier to pull the release cable and the hood doesnt "pop" up as hard"