I am restoring a 70 Chevelle and the existing hood is not sound and is in need of replacement. I have the opportunity to purchase a dented original cowl induction hood or I can shop around and purchase a reproduction. Any thoughts on which is a better move? I have no experience with the distributors of the after market parts and thier quality.

dsolomon,
Its been a couple of years, but I checked with GM and you could still get the cowl hood from them for around $400 I do believe if memory sounds correct. You may want to go this route. I got a fiberglass non-functional cowl hood from Unlimited Products and was very disappointed with not only their product but their customer service also. Not meaning to flame here but if I were you there is nothing like the original! My .02

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I need GM style rear 1/4's for 70-72!! e-mail me.

Many of the aftermarket hoods, and sheetmetal for that matter do not fit right.
I have seen lots of posts in the body shop complaining that most of these aftermarket 1/4 panels, hoods and such need lots of prep work to make them fit and never quite fit like the original.
I was told the original blueprints for these parts were lost in a fire at the plant- not sure if its true, but makes sense.
I say get an original hood.
Buy the dented one ONLY if its repairable- run it by a reputable body shop first.
Here are some prices form my Year One catalog:
New GM C/I hood: $749 http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif- this hood is rated "2" on thier scale of quality, "1" being best and almost never seen. It does note however even #"2" sheet metal needs lots of costly prep, but fit is faily good. It is just the hood and does not incluse any other C/I parts- not even the flap cover.

There is also a cheaper C/I Hood for $329, but I hear its TRASH and will not fit easily and takes lots more prep than the new GM.
Also just the hood.

Cowl Induction Kit: has all the parts to make the C/I functional less air cleaner and hood pin assembly. This will set you back $650!! Almost as much as the hood it's self! Parts can be boght separately if you still have working C/I components.

There is a deal where you can get the Hood and the C/I apparatii for $1099, but it doesn't say whether it includes the New GM NOS hood or the crappy one, I hope it is the former.
Sounds like this is going to be an expensive affair, my friend- if the original hood you saw is repairable, it might be cheaper in the long run as you will not need to spend alot on prep.

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JARRET GRATHWOL
TEAM CHEVELLE MEMBER #573
1970 Chevelle SS 396
You can see my Chevelle SS here:
http://www.geocities.com/stangsvt99/Jarret_s__70_Chevelle_SS.html

[This message has been edited by Jarret Grathwol (edited 08-18-2000).]

Great advise. I was hesitating because the dents were along the lines of the cowl and I thought they might be hard to pull. With this info in pocket I think it is worth a try. Thanks!