Topic: Any hood hinge replacement tips?
in Forum: C3 Body
Already a Member?
Click Here to Login
Not yet a Member?
Click Here to Register for Free!
Took my hood off to fix a hood rubbing issue and found that my old hinges are all worn out and floppy.
So I just got new ones from Corvette America and boy are they tight.
Seems like it will be easier to mount them to the car first and then my son and I can try and hold the hood and put the bolts in.
I marked where the old ones mounted to the car so hopefully this will be easy.
Any tips or things not to do? 
|UPDATED|3/4/2019 1:38:12 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)
20152515373r.jpg)
Hey Gary, no particular tips on hood replacement other than “slow and easy”. Marking the placement of the previous hinges is a good place to start and I have always mounted the hinges to the inner fenders prior to installing the hood. When you’ve got it bolted up close, lower the hood carefully to make sure the front tip of the hood clears the surround up by the headlights. Once you’re close it just a matter of small adjustments to get the gaps straight and even. Good luck !!
John Sigmund
valkman57@sbcglobal.net
NCRS Member 61302
NW NCRS Chapter Member
Duct tape is the new Black !!
Limited Member
Send PM
Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
Just be sure that latches are lined up good before you shut it. If they're
not close, it can be hard to get it open. Don't ask me how I know.
|UPDATED|3/5/2019 12:01:20 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
not close, it can be hard to get it open. Don't ask me how I know.
|UPDATED|3/5/2019 12:01:20 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
1973 L-82 4 spd
May be too late now but I always mark outline of hinge onto the hood so the hinges are very close to where they should be when hood is reinstalled. If hood is already off maybe you can see marks on the hood from old hinges and get as close to that as possible.
202010261047r.jpg)
DanT
I got it all back together. I'm not 100% happy with the fit, but it works for now.
One of the brand new hinges actually came apart at the rivet 
so I put one of the old worn hinges back on.
so I put one of the old worn hinges back on.The new ones are very stiff. Maybe that was the problem with the broken one.
Lifetime Member
While you are in the middle of looking for a more permanent fix, be looking around for your hinge replacement from known Corvette junkyards.
I would not be surprised that your new replacement hinge was of a cheap Asian knockoff. I had the same thing happen with my Corvette mechanic, on my '82. Cheap hinge and cheap hood release (Asian) cable...both replaced back with the originals until I could find a donor car.
Try these guys:
Corvette Generation
16541 US 301
Dade City FL 33523
352-523-0900
I have names and addresses of other Corvette junkyards if you want some. Can't guarantee the accuracy of the phone numbers however. 
Limited Member
Send PM
Overland Park, KS - USA
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 914
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
2023 Accelerate Yellow HTC Stingray
Try Contemporary Corvettes in Bristol, PA.
1973 L-82 4 spd
in Forum: C3 Body
SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)