I just painted the engine compartment on my '62 Nova Convertible body color. Now it looks so good, that it would be a shame to leave my upper shock mounts and hinges black. I'm wanting to have my hood hinges chromed with my shock mounts, but the shop won't chrome the hinges with the springs attached. Does anyone know a safe and easy way to remove the hood springs from a hood hinge? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Wes

PS I also own a '65 Chevelle Conv

I used a good sized screwdriver to remove the old and replace the new springs. I colasped the hinges when doing this.
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Brett
'67
SS396
clone

Wes,

Get a metal rod about 6 inches longer than the spring when the hood is open.

Start the rod down thru the center of the spring. Put a washer thru each coil of the spring and push the rod thru the washer.

Gently close the hood. If you used enough washers, the spring will fall off.

Bob

I just remembered I didn't remove the old ones 'cause I had new nos hinges and nos springs.After getting one spring end on, I used the screwdriver and slid the other end up and over the hinge flange.I did this off the car.Took less than 5 min.
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Brett

Wes remove the hinges from the car,then collapse them (like the hood was closed)while hinges are in this state the springs will be streched,insert strips of 1/2 inch plywood between coils when releasing the hinge,coil will stay stretched facilitating removal

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Philip Mullaly
72 TPI El Camino
An Oldsmobile is a Chevy with lock-washers(and more torque)

DO NOT lean over the top of them if you collapse them while off of the car or ShaPOOOINGGGG right in the 'ole chops and you'll make a quick vist to the dentist http://www.chevelles.com/forum/redface.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/redface.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/redface.gif

I tied mine with bailing wire and set one on the ground, then as I turned around I heard it pop loose. Let me tell you those suckers can "REALY FLY!!!" when they cut loose http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif http://www.chevelles.com/forum/eek.gif

It's amazing what you can learn on here! I've been using a rope tied thru the middle for safety and using a pry-bar. never any fun I can you. Thanks. Makes me feel a little stupid.......

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Triple Black 69 SS 396

someone said he puts nails between each coil to keep the spring in the stretched position

You always need to be very carefull when trying to stretch springs back onto anything, I know one fellow who was pulling a brake spring towared his face and put his eye out when it sliped

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Dean Call
Team Gold member #3
A.C.E.S. # 00235
Mid America Chevelle Club (http://macc.chevelles.net) #001
chevelles.net (http://chevelles.net)
My 69 (http://chevelles.com/showroom/deans69.jpg)

May the hinges of friendship never grow rusty.

Love your enemies. It will drive them nuts

I got the springs off, without injury. The spacers between the coils worked great. Thanks for all the help.

Wes