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Hi Everyone!
Any leads as to where I might find some hood springs for a '56?
The originals are too weak to hold the hood open.
I can't seem to find any online.
55-56-57 Chevy repops look too short.
Hi - I've been looking for the same for '55 - same problem - keep us posted if you locate...I'm having no luck either - seems a common problem - wonder what the costs to repop would be...
I'm looking for a set too. I bought a set of NOS 56 Pontiac springs hoping they would be the same, but they weren't. They are probably the same as chevy hood springs. My passenger side of the hood doesn't close all the way. I think the spring is week. Maybe Fusick Olds in CT. would have them ?
If you could have someone to closely watch where the (large rivets) go through the hinge while you wiggle the hood up and down slowly, you will see movement that indicates that the holes are worn oblong up and down. They will need to be welded and drilled back true, and the rivets replaced.I have seen the rivets available on the Internet at times.There's also some places that rebuild them , but that main pivot location in The middle of hinge is usually the problem. Good luck . part # 2887 From Danchuck Chev. parts ,is oversize hood hinge replacement rivets.So you can just drill them to new rivet size without welding.$32.00 for 4 Rivets. Good luck , Larry
Last edited by Rocketowner; July 17th, 2015 at 05:40 AM.
Reason: Add info
Sorry , I was thinking about Hood hinges.I Looked forever for a set of Hinges and finally found a used set.Have not replaced the worn one yet ,it just won't pull the hood completely down at the passenger side back edge of hood. Larry
Hidden Valley Auto Parts; Maricopa, AZ; 602-252-2122; 520-568-2945; claims to have both (used) hinges from a '56 Olds. This may include the springs.(?) Call or e-mail for a price.
Has anyone checked to see if Cadillac or Buick cross over. Many body parts are the same on Buick and a few that I know about on Cadillac? Generally not many Chevy or Pontiac interchange unless it's early 30's 40's.....Tedd
Just installed my hood and checked alignment and it seemed good. Used the floor jack and washer method to stretch spring for installation and that worked well also. Like the rest of you it seems my springs have lost their tension over time and need replacing. Do not want to go used or NOS for these parts but have not found anyone making new Olds springs. My hinge rivets and hood bolts are in good shape and the action is good, just not tension. Must be a crossover part somewhere
I have identified a spring from Century Spring (Stock No 5381) that seems to be very close. The overall length and diameter are about right, but the wire diameter is a little larger (0.312" vs 0.250"). They are about $50 each and I took the risk and have ordered a pair to see how well they might work.
If the springs don't work out,I have a good drivers side hinge complete with spring .I wasn't thinking about selling it,but if you need it I would take $40.00 for it plus shipping. Larry
If the springs don't work out,I have a good drivers side hinge complete with spring .I wasn't thinking about selling it,but if you need it I would take $40.00 for it plus shipping. Larry
I have identified a spring from Century Spring (Stock No 5381) that seems to be very close. The overall length and diameter are about right, but the wire diameter is a little larger (0.312" vs 0.250"). They are about $50 each and I took the risk and have ordered a pair to see how well they might work.
Okay, a quick side by side comparison shows these are a bit long. Diameter is good, but I will need to swap one into a hinge to see if the length is an issue in use. We may need to rework the spring to shorten it. Stay tuned.
Okay, I am going to declare victory and say these are viable with minimal modification. I did cut about 1/3 of the hooks off to allow the new spring to fit, but it does the job. The Century springs are slightly larger diameter and longer, and the wire is a bit bigger. I have no reliable means to compare spring rates or force, but the larger coil diameter somewhat offsets the impact of the larger wire and I imagine these are pretty close to OEM strength.
These do stack up sooner than OEM, so it is possible the hood will not open quite as high, but with only one new spring installed, the hood stays up nicely.
Passenger Side '56 Super 88 OEM
Driver Side '56 Super 88 Replacement
Last edited by TRWham; April 22nd, 2017 at 06:02 PM.
The hood holds at about 38" (see photos for measuring points), which is the same as the fancy custom prop rod (i.e. a whittled stick) we got with the car. I failed to measure prior to changing the spring, but I would say this is at least 9" higher than before the new spring.
Keep in mind I only have one new spring in right now, and it replaced a kluged spring (too short and extended with a piece of threaded rod bent into a hook) that may have been weaker than the correct OEM Oldsmobile part. The other side appears to be an original 60 year old GM part. I will take new measurements once we have the other spring installed, if you want to wait for those results.
Thanks for the pictures. I am 6' 5" so the height will work well for me. When you get the other spring I will interested in the hinge action with the different stacking action of the spring.
We installed the passenger side and this lowered the hood by about 1 to 1.5" because of the longer spring and resulting decreased force (not stack up). I have searched for alternative new stock springs with no joy so far. We could have custom springs (10.5" long, 1.75" OD and 0.25" wire) made, with costs ranging from about $250 each for 2 down to $40 or less if we buy 100.
I will probably seek a means of modifying the Century springs to work. The static difference is about 1.75", but I think the new spring has a higher rate, so it may stabilize at a similar length even with a slightly longer static length. I think we only need to shorten an inch or so to make them work, so it may be a matter of flattening the hooks a half inch each (this will not change the spring rate). It also works pretty well with one OEM and one new spring, so that may be an option.
Sounds like all we need is 50 guys that need a new set of springs. Under 50 bucks a spring would be great. Can only imagine that there are more than 50 cars with bad hood springs.
I did find another stock alternative spring after all. They're less expensive than the Century springs and I have 2 headed my way. Stand by for updates.
Meanwhile, we are pondering methods to shorten the others if needed.
Hope these other springs will do the trick. Any luck with adapting the other ones?
Put that effort on hold until these new ones arrive and are tested. Will need to shorten the others by several coils and reform a hook. Those are 0.312" wire, so it's a bit of work. I have a posse of Lockheed manufacturing engineers on standby if we need to go that route.
Bad news- they don't work. The spring rate is simply too low.
I am now concerned modifying the first springs will create a spring that is too strong, thus over-stressing the hood when closing and possibly causing it to bend. I will reevaluate the entire situation and determine what our next move is.
July 17th, 2011, 02:59 PM
