Ive been working on my 68 Cutlass ragtop...and ive come upon something i just cant stand..and need to know if i can change something


Its a hot rod..so no worries about original stuff..

I absolutely hate the hood opening angle...ive bounce my head off the hood every single time i get under it... 6+ feet tall...its feels like the hood is touching my back when i get in there by the fender.....can i use 69 or 70 or? hinges to get the hood to open further?

i'm not sure...just wanna know...i really aint diggin' the knots on my skull...its almost as bad as the tooth on my 70...lol

 

Mark you can use 69 -72 hinges you have to redrill your fenders for the new three bolt pattern. Best thing is to use 69 fenders if your car isnt painted yet. There already drilled for three holes. Hope this helps

 

I didn't know the 68 hoods don't open as far..?

 

car has decent paint....dang

i appreciate the help...i knew there was a diff..didnt have a pair to compare...


thanks

 

pretty drastic actually...a few of the GM car lines..68 hinges are 68 and the angle opening is not as big as 69 up....

 

Learn something every day!

 

I believe there is an F-body hinge [Camaro &c.] that will fit right in and open further [farther? whatever...]

maybe 1982?
Google search?
I will ck the PN database

ROP's "Black Sheep" says: "A very wise man (DaveH) said the trick is to use 1st gen camaro/firebird hood hinges on a 68 cutlass. They bolt on and open the hood more." Dave H then refuted that. Rob Thomas RPTW32 asserts: "Use hinges from a 68 Firebird... bolt right up to the 68 fenders and open higher than the Olds hinges for 68."

 

Yeah I'm sure I have a scar or 2! That hood angle does suck!

 

look at the interchange

67-68-69 Camaro & Firebird 66-67 Chevy II, 65-67 Chevy Full Size Hood hinge

 

I have a '68 and a '69. If the lower angle on the '68 doesn't get you, that piece that sticks down on the '69 hood will put a few knots on the back of your head...it's kind of a no-win situation...either remember or get thumped by your own hood!

Randy C.

 

69-72 hinges do not bolt to a 68 hood without modifying the hood holes in the hinge. I've tried it and it's not a simple bolt in like everyone says it is.

 

You could just do what I do / did, stay at 5'6", have not whacked the back of my head yet!

 

Get a kids floaty noodle for $1.50 at Wallymart and cut it in pieces and slot it for the tooth.
The 3 pieces have saved my head many times.

 

I was going to get different hinges as I thought I had the wrong ones. I was told about the 68s being lower. My hood hinges are perfect so I just let it go and look out above.

 

I cant even count how many times Ive banged my head on that freakin 'tooth' that hangs down.