I'm looking to find out the difference in how far the hoods open on 68 and 69 Chevelles.
Could a few of you guys measure the distance between the tip of the hood and the center high point on the header panel, with the hood open.
I believe that 68 hoods open further because of the different hinges.

I'm thinking that a 68 hood is more desirable for those that don't care about originality, but would rather have more clearance to work on things with the hood up.
I have a 68 hood and considering putting it on my 69.

A bonus is that the 68 Chevelle hood hinges are a lot more common and easier to find as they were used on the Nova from 1968-79. And other X-body cars during those years as well.

I'll try to remember to take a measurement for you.
I'm not certain, but I think the real difference between the hinges is the length of the brace that holds the hood, which shouldn't affect the amount it opens. The '69 is longer to support more of the hood sheet metal.
If I remember correctly, my el Camino has a '68 hood and hinges on it, so I can get some pics of both.

Dan

Isn't it much easier to use a protractor for this one?

I measured mine out of curiosity, (because I don't know if it will help or not) since I have a '68 with a '69 SS hood with modified '68 hinges. It measures 33 1/4".

My 69 hood is 39" with the original 69 hinges.

My 69 is also 39"

My 69 measures 36" from high point to high point, but it's a 4 door.

Now this is getting interesting.
Any 68 Chevelles out there to measure?

I have the original hinges and hood on my 68, and it opens 39" also. Same as my 69, with the 69 set-up.

I have the original hinges and hood on my 68, and it opens 39" also. Same as my 69, with the 69 set-up.

hmmmm
did you actually measure both?

Yep, they're sitting right next to each other, in my garage. I opened both hoods, made sure they were all the way up, and measured both at 39".

Yep, they're sitting right next to each other, in my garage. I opened both hoods, made sure they were all the way up, and measured both at 39".

Well, Theres your answer. :thumbsup:

LK

They are both the same hinge, except for the top. I have core parts off both, that I use when someone sends me bent hinges, that I use to make their hinges straight. The only difference is the top, with the later 68 measuring 12 1/4 inches from center of holes and 14 1/2 inches for the 69. The early 68 hinge that measures 12 3/4 inches, does have a little bit of a longer front arm, about 1/2 inch.

I think 68's open further than 69's.
Maybe I just stumbled onto a 69 that had the wrong hinges on it.
But I distinctly remember seeing a 69 hood open and then a 68 and it looked much different.
How do we explain the gentleman with the 69 4 door and 36" then?

I measured mine out of curiosity, (because I don't know if it will help or not) since I have a '68 with a '69 SS hood with modified '68 hinges. It measures 33 1/4".

How did you get 68 hinges to work on a 69 hood?
did you drill and tap or cut open and install a nut???? what gives?????

Why is this post in the WIW section?

Both my '69's measure 37 3/8" peak to peak.

Why is this post in the WIW section?
Good question but it's not in the WIW section


















now
:D

Both my '69's measure 37 3/8" peak to peak.
Von, some of us might be measuring from different points. I measured both my 68 and 69, from the top/tip of the header panel "hump", to the top of the hood "hump"... Is that what everyone else is doing?

Von, some of us might be measuring from different points. I measured both my 68 and 69, from the top/tip of the header panel "hump", to the top of the hood "hump"... Is that what everyone else is doing?

That's how I measured mine
exactly 36" with the hood lifted as far as possible.

I do have one hinge that I made out of a 70 hinge though.

Von, some of us might be measuring from different points. I measured both my 68 and 69, from the top/tip of the header panel "hump", to the top of the hood "hump"... Is that what everyone else is doing?
Yes, that's how I measured mine. I'm guessing some difference could be due to the hinge adjustment where it bolts to the body. Bolt holes in the hinges slotted to allow for adjustment.

There also might be some play in the hinges. If I have the hood all the way open on my 69, I can still push it up an inch or so, beyond the point where it rests without touching it. There is some flex in the hood itself too. I can see how they might varry from car to car, even with the same hood and hinges. But getting back to the original question, I think the hoods basically open the same, whether it's a 69 or 68.

Why is this post in the WIW section?

I know that was my mistake. I was going to ask the mods to move it, but figured somebody like you would get it done for me.
:thumbsup:

How did you get 68 hinges to work on a 69 hood?
did you drill and tap or cut open and install a nut???? what gives?????

The '69 SS hood came along with my '68 project car, and the hinges had already been cut, a step put in, and re-welded. My bodyman beefed up the welds a little, and they have worked fine, although my hood sounds like it doesn't have the travel that everyone else's has.

I swear 68 hoods open further. And it's very noticeable.
I have a friend with an original 68, but he's 40 miles away and his header panel is off right now for new paint.
hopefully he'll get it installed soon and I can measure that.