So after missing yet another local hood for my 72 442, 350, I’m considering buying a new all fiberglass hood. Has anyone used the aftermarket fiberglass ones with good luck? Do they need a lot prep work to fit properly. Should I just keep waiting for an aftermarket with steel frame? I’m not looking to break the bank but I’d love a ram air hood.im just wondering if they are worth it in fit and finish

 

And this may be a dumb question also but do the ram our hoods only use the hood pins and not the center latch

 

The original '70-2 OAI hoods retain the non-OAI type hood parts....same hood latch and same hood lock setups as the non-OA.

Hood lock - the thing you unlock by pulling the black plastic handle in the middle of the bumper

Hood latch - once you pop the hood lock you push up on this piece - it's mounted on the underside of the hood

 

Ok thx
do the aftermarket fiberglass ones use the latch and lock?

 

It depends on the manufacturer. The repro hoods that have metal frames like the originals use the same latch setup as OEM. The all-fiberglass repros are typically not strong enough to use the stock latch.

 

I've used my all fiberglass hood on my 71 Cutlass for 25 years with no latch. Though I admit it is a accident waiting to happen. I cut the front off my original crunched hood with the idea of using the inner steel part to make a latch/catch but haven't done it- probably never will. Now that the car is 50 yrs old and not 25 it is a little more valuable and I probably will go back to a stock hood at some point. But at least on my type hood there is no hole or mounting for a latch. However... a fellow Classic Olds member has a all fiberglass hood for sale that came off his 70 that had a steel latch of some kind- forget what his user name was.. maybe he will answer.

 

Has anyone used this hood before?
https://americansportscar.com/produc...1971-1972-442/

 

I see that one has holes for the latches. It appears it is all fiberglass? Or is the frame steel? Can't tell from pics.. My hood has no holes. Why not give them a call see if it can be used with latches? I'm sure the hoods made now Are better than what I got 25 years ago.

 

I did email and it does accept stock latch along with hood pins, it is all fiberglass, so I I can’t find a steel framed one I’ll go with this one. $1060 shipped

 

did you get the hood? would like to see it. Steel frame ones are available but at 3x the cost from Thortons muscle carss

 

No found a used one for less... still haven’t put it on

 

To be pedantic, it's cold air, not ram air, as compression requires a supercharger, and, also, Ram Air was Pontiac's term. Olds called it Outside Air Induction (which is a better name as it is more accurate) and that's abbreviated to OAI, sometimes called W-25 (for the option code), or The Only Hood On A 70-72 Olds A Body since everyone has replaced their steel hood with one.

 

The Only Hood On A 70-72 Olds A Body since everyone has replaced their steel hood with one.[/QUOTE]
so one day my hood may actually be rare

 

i have a 72 fiberglass ram air for sale