I am doing a little clean up and painting under the hood. I have removed the hood. But I need to take the hinges/springs off. How do I (safely) do this and be able to get them back on?

I always just use a brake sprig pliers. as long as you have a good drip on it its not dangerous. i Just took off 63 nova hood springs like this. they might be lighter springs than your chevelle tho, cause of the heavier hood.
hope this helps.
justin Mciver

Trick I learned here- put 8d nails in between the coils of the springs. Keep loading it up with nails til the spring is loose enough to come off easily. I think I had to insert about 15 nails in each spring. Use a screw driver to spread the coils and insert the nail.

Also to paint the spring I built a rectangular wooden box (2x4's) just longer than the spring. An eye hook at each end. Then put spring on eye hooks and tightened them. Stretched spring enough to do a complete paint job.

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Rick Schaefer
72 El Camino
TPI 350/700r4
Aces #00140
TEAM CHEVELLE #00038
NCOA #16197

Another way to paint the springs is to use a floor jack. I have two metal rods about 16" long. One goes under the jack, the other goes on the pad. Pump the jack up until the distance between the rods is about the length of the springs. Slip the springs over the ends of the rods and pump the jack up a little more to spread the coils. Works great.

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Bob Murray 66 Malibu
TC Gold #49
Aces #01941
NCOA #20838