Fiberglass hood installation

[jonstringer]

I recently purchased a 1972 Cutlass S, which has a cutlass supreme hood for some reason. Naturally I'm getting rid of the Supreme hood and thinking about swapping it for the fiberglass hood w/ scoops. This may be a dumb question, but with the weight and structural differences between the hoods, will I be able to use the stock hood hinges?

Thank you in advance,
-Jon

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by jonstringer

I recently purchased a 1972 Cutlass S, which has a cutlass supreme hood for some reason. Naturally I'm getting rid of the Supreme hood and thinking about swapping it for the fiberglass hood w/ scoops. This may be a dumb question, but with the weight and structural differences between the hoods, will I be able to use the stock hood hinges?

Thank you in advance,
-Jon

If the hood you're getting uses the factory-style metal under tray, it will work fine with the stock hinges. If it's an all-fiberglass repro you cannot use the factory springs.

[frostbyte]

Joe, I have an all fiberglass hood on my cutlass and it uses stock hinges! Mine was made by Glasstek and I have had no problems with it. Bought it on ebay from seller Tamraz but here is a link to the same hood, and this guy also sells low torsion springs for the hood, though I do not have them and have had no issues. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-...spagenameZWDVW
Good luck finding a steel lined ram air hood for the 71-72, I have looked and have found some aftermarket ones for the 70 but they wont fir the 71-72.

[frostbyte]

Color me wrong, there is a guy at this very site selling a real metal framed fiberglass hood. It is listed on the parts for sale page and here is a link; http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...-oai-hood.html

[joe_padavano]

Originally Posted by frostbyte

Joe, I have an all fiberglass hood on my cutlass and it uses stock hinges!

I certainly won't refute your first-hand experience. I will say that not all 'glass hoods are created equally. I'll also note that while there may not be a problem initially, repeated vibration from driving with the stock springs in place may lead to stress cracks. This is a fatigue problem, not an initial load problem. If you only drive the car infrequently, this may not be a problem.

[frostbyte]

Ill keep that in mind and keep an eye on the hood around the hinges. I probobly ought to pick up a set of the low- torsion springs just to be on the safe side. I really wish I could have found a steel lined hood when I was building the car.

[sklbndt]

Originally Posted by jonstringer

I recently purchased a 1972 Cutlass S, which has a cutlass supreme hood for some reason. Naturally I'm getting rid of the Supreme hood and thinking about swapping it for the fiberglass hood w/ scoops. This may be a dumb question, but with the weight and structural differences between the hoods, will I be able to use the stock hood hinges?

Thank you in advance,
-Jon

Jon,
The Parts Place at www.thepartsplaceinc.com sells a reproduction ram air hood with steel frame and screen which will bolt right up. Haven't used them so can't testify as to their parts quality.

John

[Omicron]

I got my repro W25 hood from Tamraz, and have been using it with the factory hinges for some time now without problems. I think the fiberglass hood actually weighs more than the stock steel one.

Only odd thing is that the back of the hood (windshield side) is fully 1/2 inch higher than the OEM one. Looking at pics of restorations this seems to be a fairly common thing. Someday I plan to examine the hinges and see if there's a way to lower it. Anyone else seen this or fixed said problem?

[Rallye469]

I bought a set of lighter springs when I went with a glass cowl hood...
No go---
I thought my hood would crack the first time I tried to lower it.
So now I have no springs and a broom handle in reach.
(but this is not a W-25 hood, steel lined or not)