I have a 1970 malibu that i put a cowl induction hood on, the weather strip for hood to cowl seal I installed appears to be to thick, I have tried adjusting the hinges as much as i can but the rear of the hood will not set down low enough to properly align with the fenders. with this seal removed it will lower hood enough, do I have the wrong seal?The one I am using is what is listed in all the books, it stands about 1 inch tall when not compressed. Thanks for your help!
TUNEMAN
Matt, what intake manifold do you have on the engine. The original 70 was a low profile one and I have a friend who has a different year (68) on his and it sits higher and his hood will not close properly with the seal on also. Once he takes the seal off it closes fine. It doesn't take much to have the hood stay up.
The reproduction cowl seal in very thick, and will make the hood stay up. When I added a reproduction cowl hood on a car i was restoring, the only cowl seal I could get to fit, was a Soft Seal cowl rubber. I have seen other people take a hammer and actually tap on the cowl top as well, to make flatter and allow for the hood to come down further. Also remember if you take a Malibu flat hood off and replace with a cowl hood, you need the 29 coil count spring, instead of the 26 coil count hood spring, for the extra weight.
Willie
Willie
I just installed my new cowl hood and had the same problem. My cowl seal was old so I cut out the center of it about the with of the scoop. The hood sits down now. I do not know what my permanent solution is yet but the hood seem to sit on the cowl seal on the sides ok with very little clearance in the center.
Count the individual coils in your springs, and you will know what springs you have. The value of the 29 coil springs over the 26 coil spring, is the ability to hold the hood at any level. I have seen people use the 26 coil springs, but not be able to have the hood sit 1/4 way open or even half way open, when it starts coming down, it comes all the way down. If your hinges are properly lubricated in every rivet, I believe you will come to see what I am talking about.
Willie
Willie
Springs have never ruined a hood, as far as I know, only poorly lubricated hinges do. If you force a hood down that has dry rivet hinges, that is what ruins a good hood. A 26 coil count springs lacks the resistance to control the hood from coming down and being a head knocker or finger catching weapon, especially after being 40 years old. The 29 coil spring is longer, and stronger, to reduce the chance of the hood coming down, before you want. I did not mean to cause a stir of emotions, if spring or hinge works for you, do not change what you are doing.
Willie
Willie
Just to let everyone know, i just replaced my hood hinges with new ones and to my surprise the hood aligns properly now. I didnt think my hinges were bad at all.Once i had the hood off of them you can check for looseness at the rivets and boy were mine bad.I certainly didn't think that was the cause of my hood wanting to stay high at the rear no matter how far down they were adjusted. Now however I think it is time to take Willie's advise and install the 29 coil springs as my hood wants to come down on its own from about the half way point,before with the worn hinges it would stay up no problem in all positions with the 26 coil springs. thanks to all replied to my post and happy cruising!!!!!!!!!
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