My body guy said I needed a new set of hood hinges for my 68 Cutlass "S" convertible. Since there doesn't seem to be any repos I ordered a used set from what I consider a reliable source (The parts place). When they arrived we compared them and found the used ones from The Parts Place to be much beefier with larger springs than what I presumed was the originals that came with my car.


Was there an aftermarket source or two types available depending on model?

 

How far did your hood open with the old hinges? One of the big complaints about the '68 was that the hood didn't open far enough (in degrees) to allow easy access to the engine bay. The hinges were redesigned for '69 to allow the hood to open further. The later hinges can be retrofit to the '68s and most people like the additional room. I bet they sent you a set of '69+ hinges.

 

69-72 hinges won't bolt to the 68 fenders unless you have the replacement fenders with both bolt patterns or you modify your originals to accommodate the different bolt pattern on the hinges.

FYI, while 1968 hood hinges are one-year-only, all RWD Oldsmobiles used the same hinges that year, so full size cars are also donors.

 

Wear a hardhat. I'm telling you.

 

I have 1967 Oldsmobile 88/98 hinges. I'm not sure if this works.

 

I should take pictures for comparison. I do believe the beefy hinges will open a bit further but not by much.


I agree a hard hat would be good advise.

 

In reality, '69 didn't do much better. Yes, the hood opens a lot higher but the designers, in their infinite wisdom, put on that nose that hangs down from the front middle of the hood. Catches the back of my head almost every time. Yes, a hardhat is in order!

Randy C.

 

I can do the 69 hinges if you decide to go that route.

Email direct to lemoldsnut@aol.com

or calls west coast time 8 am to 8 pm 541-815-4363

Thanks
Larry

 

Hinges are the same, but I believe that the springs vary from model to model. Easy change.


'68 springs are NOT the same as 69-72, one of 100's of 68/9 diffs. End loop orientation- I think '68-only are at 90 degrees to one another. Or, vice versa.