I am thinking about picking up an original 70 GM SS cowl hood for my 70 Malibu, from a local guy. His price is about average, but I have a question about hinges.

My stock hood developed cracks on both sides, on the frame underneath, about 1/2 way from the front to the back of the hood. I was told this was a GM crumple zone of the hood. But the cracks can be caused by bad hinges too.

Anyway, I was wondering how I can tell if I need to replace the hinges? Would I order new springs too? Or should I just replace them both (springs & hinges) since I am pulling the hood? http://www.chevelles.com/forum/frown.gif

I just don't wanna pull the hood more than once. Let me hear from people who have been there, done that. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif


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DG
Springfield, Ohio
70 Chevelle Malibu
dga@erinet.com
www.wright.edu/~s001dga/chevy.htm (http://www.wright.edu/~s001dga/chevy.htm)

These hinges are still available new from GM, as are the springs. What you have described sounds like the hinges are worn and moving around at the joints. I had the same problem and replaced mine. The problem went away. SSuper Dave

DG,
A lot of mid 80's Chevy trucks had the same problem and I think it was caused by not keeping the hinges lubricated. I have seen some that the hinges were so tight, you could see the hood bend when you tried to close it. A shot of WD40 does wonders.



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Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md

Make sure you change the hood springs, they are different for a cowl induction hood.
GM part# is: 3848272 fits all 70-72 all with SS, Heavy chevy , and Monte Carlo. I think they are still available.