Topic: Later C3 hood on a 69'
in Forum: C3 Body
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This may be a dumb question but has anyone tried putting a 73' on up hood on a 68-72 Vette AND kept the wiper door?
I've seen a bunch of 68-72s with the later hoods and the wiper door removed but I think the wiper door is one of the endearing 'quirks' of the chrome bumper cars and would like to keep it.
So I guess my real question would be if anyone has tried to cut down a 73 on up hood to fit an earlier model that still allows the wiper door to function and not look some butchered hybrid at the same time?
I am dropping in a 408 CI SBC with Vortec heads/intake and have discovered the Vortec manifold is about 1/4" taller than the original set-up which will bring my air cleaner right against my stock hood.
Since BB/LT-1 hoods are going for outrageous dollars these days, I figured a mid/late 70's hood could do the trick for much less.
Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Elm
I've seen a bunch of 68-72s with the later hoods and the wiper door removed but I think the wiper door is one of the endearing 'quirks' of the chrome bumper cars and would like to keep it.
So I guess my real question would be if anyone has tried to cut down a 73 on up hood to fit an earlier model that still allows the wiper door to function and not look some butchered hybrid at the same time?
I am dropping in a 408 CI SBC with Vortec heads/intake and have discovered the Vortec manifold is about 1/4" taller than the original set-up which will bring my air cleaner right against my stock hood.
Since BB/LT-1 hoods are going for outrageous dollars these days, I figured a mid/late 70's hood could do the trick for much less.
Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Elm
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Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The hoods on '73-75 cars have the "cowl induction" set-ups, meaning they have a fresh air door in them. Cutting the back end off would be cutting into the ductwork for this, basically making it useless. The '76 cars did NOT have the cowl induction ductwork, but they still looked the same. So...if I was gonna try this, I would look for a '76 hood, or, go with a '77, cause I don't think they even have the "grill" across the rear. Sounds like a major project, to me. I'd be looking for an aftermarket hood, with a taller center section, like an L88 style. The money spent on this would probably be cheaper than trying to cut down a cowl hood. imo 
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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Adam,
Thank you for the reply.
I would REALLY like to find a factory 68-72 LT-1/BB hood but those cost some huge coin these days. The aftermarket L-88 hoods are butt-ugly IMO and I don't like the obstruction they pose looking over the hood. I am looking for like another 1/2" clearance, not 5".
Since I would be cutting off the rearmost 6" or so of the hood, I'm not too concerned about the cowl induction properties as much as I am about gaining air cleaner clearance.
I know the hood can physically be cut down to fit, my concern is more regarding the cowl induction 'bulge' in the middle of the hood and if it would interfere with the operation of the wiper door?
The easy solution would be just to remove the wiper door like everyone else does, but that's too easy ;-) I'd like to keep the wiper door intact if at all possible.
Thanks!
Elm
Elm
Lifetime MemberGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
Have you looked into different styles of air cleaners? Seems to me if I was within 1/2" of the hood I would modify the air cleaner box to suite my needs or look different styles. (lower profile, drop cavity etc.)Sure would be cheaper than any of the options above mentioned. Tuxblacray 2007-04-09 13:53:45
Why a 73 hood, do you have one or are you just asking in general? I check a supplier and they have Hood Assembly - Used Original for 68-72 for $350 or Hood Assembly - Big Block Or Lt-1 Design for $660 or Hood Assembly - Big Block Or Lt-1 (orginal G-m) $1250.
Sounds like there are choses out there.
Just trying to help.
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
I don't have the hood- I'm just asking in general.
The cheapest BB/LT-1 hood will run $600+ on up where it seems that a decent used 73 on up hood can be had for around $150.
The L46 air cleaner I am using has the deepest drop base of any air cleaner I have found either OEM or aftermarket.
If anyone has a line on one with a bigger drop, please let me know!
Thanks!
Elm
The cheapest BB/LT-1 hood will run $600+ on up where it seems that a decent used 73 on up hood can be had for around $150.
The L46 air cleaner I am using has the deepest drop base of any air cleaner I have found either OEM or aftermarket.
If anyone has a line on one with a bigger drop, please let me know!
Thanks!
Elm
in Forum: C3 Body
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