I just bought a new set of hood hinges for my 69. I got the springs off pretty easily, but I need to know the best/safest way to get them back on the new hinges. Thanks in advance.

The best way to remove or put on is by using a chain. Get your yourself a chain link, one that is split on one side but has a nut, made so you can mend a broken chain. Attach the spring to the backside of the hinge, then slip the other end of the spring in that chain link. Pull on the chain and spring will strench out so you can attach the end on hinge. Once its on just remove the chain by loosen the nut on the link.

Of course this works best if the hinges are bolted to the fenders and hood, if not what I have done in the past is drilled some holes in a 4x2 then bolted the hinge to that 2x4. Then Placed 2x4 in a bench vise, now you cn use the chain method

Another trick is to bend the spring so the coils are spread on one side and insert pennies or washers in the gaps. If that doesn't make it extend enough, bend it over the other way and load the gaps on the other side. Should be able to just place it on the mounts. Then you close the hood and all the change falls in your fenders and rattles from now on :D
Roger

I read somewhere about putting penny nails in between the spring gaps to strectch the spring....then just remove the nails.

How much did the penny method cost? ;) Could add up to a couple of bucks if you used quarters. I used a crow bar for leverage and pulled the spring to get it on. (The hingers were not on the car at the time.) But I would not recommend it because I scratched the hinge. The penny/nail method sounds better.

Originally posted by COL Eikmeier:
How much did the penny method cost? ;) Could add up to a couple of bucks if you used quarters. I used a crow bar for leverage and pulled the spring to get it on. (The hinges were not on the car at the time.) But I would not recommend it because I scratched the hinge. The penny/nail method sounds better.

I just clipped a big pair of smooth jawed Vise Grips on and pulled them into place. This was on the car of course.

Peter