I'm restoring the "hood hinges" on our 70 442 convertible and am not sure about a few things and would appreciate some guidance.......
1) What is the correct color and finish for the "hinges" and "springs?"
2) I have taken a set of hinges from another car (I think it was a 70 Cutlass Supreme or "S"), but I'm not sure which one. The hinges originally on the car were very loose and shaky. Is there a good way to "tighten up" the hinge points. I'm sure someone might just say, "hit 'em real hard with a hammer," but there has to be a better method?? Any ideas?
3) In Year One's catalog, they say that all W-25 equipped cars came with "lighter" springs than std. (non Ram Air) 442's. We're adding a W-25 Hood to our car. Are the springs really different?? If so, how can you identify them? I have several sets of old springs, but they all look about the same. Is it just a hardness difference, or can you tell which is which??
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
THANKS. Harold

 

1) Hinges were phosphate - I believe springs were either natural or phosphate also
2) Don't know
3) All hoods had the same springs

 

SMS in New Hampshire does a great job of rebuilding/rephosphating hinges.