jensenracing77

is there a way to identify an OAI hood spring from a standard hood spring? i figure there must be a wire diameter or coil diameter difference. i have searched for this info but can't find anything on it.

oldzzy

I thought that the springs were the same for the reg hood and the original OAI hood. I thought the lighter springs were for an all fiberglass hood.

jensenracing77

may be. i never thought there was that much difference in the over all weight of the hoods. i will look up the part numbers and see if i fand anything there. i just heard people talking about it over the years and thought it was for the stock OAI hood.

oldzzy

just checked my parts book, i found one part #403900 from 69-72

jensenracing77

thanks, i was getting concerned because all mine look the same.

Allan R

Eric, the OAI hoods from Olds probably needed the same spring as the all metal hood. You know first hand that an OEM OAI is not that light. All the info I've read on this topic suggests that the only time you would need to change to a lightweight hood spring is if you were changing over to an ALL fibreglass hood. The steel liner of the OEM OAI hood would also serve as a sturdy attachment point (not like the all fibreglass ones) and they would have the hood release so the T44 hood lock could also be used.

jensenracing77

that make sense, i just never thought they were much lighter if any. i guess i just assumed they were talking about OEM when it came up.

ah64pilot

Now that's it's been brought up, does anyone know where to get the lighter springs for an all fiber hood? I've got the factory springs on mine and although it isn't warping it now, I'm sure that in the Texas heat it will eventually. I'd like to switch over now as I have the hood off to change my head gaskets.

oldzzy

I believe the parts place sells them

Allan R

Steve,
I know you can get them at http://www.fiberpartsconcepts.com/ Address your needs to Rob


Parts place has them (BP1170Z) 39.00

ah64pilot

Damn Alan, you sure know how to make a girl become lazy...I didn't even have to look it up for myself. Thanks!

Alex72cutty

I have the same springs for my hood and they work great. Also, You can't beat the price!!

sicky olds

Talk to your good buddy in SA for when he swaps over to an OEM hood. Might not be for a while though LOL

ah64pilot

Which car is he putting an OEM hood on? I thought the 10 sec car already had one...and I know he isn't putting an OEM hood on the 9 sec car lol!

442much

I never changed mine. Seems to work fine.

Allan R

Ken, IIRC though you have to be really careful opening it and closing it though so the hood doesn't fly up too fast or slam shut?? Trying to remember from last year?

442much

If I open the hood half way and leave it, and the wind catches it, it will fly up. However it woud fly up in the wind with the orig. hood too. If people try to open it up at a car show (make that our car show, since I'm not near the car) it might , if they don't know...but they shouldn't be touching the car unless asked. The hood won't slam shut. I've had the hood for 4 years now. I really don't have any issues with it. What happened last year? And what's "IIRC"?

ah64pilot

I know once the hood is down or up there is no tension on it but I am worried about having to overcome the springs when closing the hood. IDK, I guess for $39 it's cheap insurance. The hard part is getting them switched out lol!

Allan R

Umm, you let me touch it??? I also got the privilege of sitting in it at your place. Love those rotating seats....IIRC mean "If I Remember Correctly".

I noticed last year that a lot of the walk through traffic was pretty clueless about leaning on / touching the cars. Even with 'please do not touch' cards displayed. It's different if I invite them to, like you say. But I don't invite a lot of people to lean against my car with their jeans (metal rivets) or belt buckles. And you can't just stay only with your car the whole day if you want to get the most out of the show.

ah64pilot

Friends are the worst...they'll come over while I'm working on the car, fender covers and blankets covering everything and they'll just lean against a back quarter panel like it's a run of the mill Toyota.

I hate to be mean but I usually tell them if they wanna pay for the next $9,000 paint job then feel free...otherwise use your legs or find a chair. Hell, even last night I was taking my A/C components out to semi- get the car ready for Vintage Air. Neighbor comes over and is smoking a cigarette and his ash falls on my freshly cleaned fender well...

Some people are clueless...I've stopped trying to change them, I just don't keep them around.

Allan R

Well Steve, you can hang out around my car any day of the week!

I don't mind telling friends or neighbors to keep away from the car. What bugs me (and I know its petty) is when they let their small - 2, 3, 4 year old kids ride into the garage with their trikes, or wander in with their toy hammers or shovels and what not. They think it's cute that 'junior' wants to work on stuff with me. They also don't realize the potential danger they're putting that kid in. Problem is that kid usually tries banging on the side of the car or gets dangerously close to the paint with the bike. I usually pick the kid up and escort him/her out. I don't get mad at the kid - I save that for the parent if they don't understand there are boundaries to be respected. Most kids in my area know better than to touch my car now.

I only leave the door up for ventilation and lighting - NOT as an invitation to wander in. So I'm a grouch?? I don't think so. I think some people just were born without enough brains to fill a matchbook.

ah64pilot

It's funny, but it seems like the louder the car has gotten the less I have neighborhood kids coming around to look. It's almost like they're scared of the noisy old car...at least it has worked in my favor, though not by design.

Even my own kids know that they aren't allowed in the garage. They have to come ask me to get a bike out or grab something for them...they are well trained even at 5 & 9 years old. I just told them to take care of the cars because they will be driving them one day...long after I'm dead