Hood choice advice
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fidalgo Island Wa
Hood choice advice
http://www.carhoods.com/HoodPages/PF-470.htm
(High-Tech design inner liner fully supports the outer skin, providing a show worthy inner structure which is smooth, rigid, and ready for prep & paint. The Cormat reinforced surface is both strong and straight. Steel anchors allow for use with both OEM hinge & latch. Side 90° edges are left long, scoops & baffles come closed & require opening to make the hood functional. Lighter tension springs may be required. Part # TCVH-68 Weight approx + - 43 lbs)
--- http://www.usbody.com/Pages_Cars/68-Corvette.htm <--These 1st two ads look identical,whats that about? --- http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/6881vette.htm (73-82 - 4inch Cowl Induction Bolt On Hood Fits 68-72 .Price=450.00 Weight=20 Ship: Truck Freight)
---Since the 2nd one looks identical to the 1st,and the last 2 are essentially the same price...I'm picking the usbody hood for now.Any help? Or do you not like the style? I figure its pretty much the same as stock design,only with much more room for a taller manifold & air cleaner lid that breathes much better,& a cowl style hood that actually functions-unlike the stock one. --Check this pic out-> http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=9/25422421866.jpg&s=x4
(High-Tech design inner liner fully supports the outer skin, providing a show worthy inner structure which is smooth, rigid, and ready for prep & paint. The Cormat reinforced surface is both strong and straight. Steel anchors allow for use with both OEM hinge & latch. Side 90° edges are left long, scoops & baffles come closed & require opening to make the hood functional. Lighter tension springs may be required. Part # TCVH-68 Weight approx + - 43 lbs)
--- http://www.usbody.com/Pages_Cars/68-Corvette.htm <--These 1st two ads look identical,whats that about? --- http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/6881vette.htm (73-82 - 4inch Cowl Induction Bolt On Hood Fits 68-72 .Price=450.00 Weight=20 Ship: Truck Freight)
---Since the 2nd one looks identical to the 1st,and the last 2 are essentially the same price...I'm picking the usbody hood for now.Any help? Or do you not like the style? I figure its pretty much the same as stock design,only with much more room for a taller manifold & air cleaner lid that breathes much better,& a cowl style hood that actually functions-unlike the stock one. --Check this pic out-> http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=9/25422421866.jpg&s=x4
Race Director
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From: Duvall, WA
I think your car looks great with the hood that's on it now. I think those hoods would ruin the lines of your car and that would be a shame. It seems like you could get clearance for a taller manifold with something less radical.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,941
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From: Fidalgo Island Wa
OK- Heres another choice I sorta like- http://acivette.com/ Its the DHF030 - '77-'82 Vented High Rise Hood thats on the Corvette hood page. For this vette-> http://putfile.com/pic.php?pic=9/25511022283.jpg&s=x4
Team Owner
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Originally Posted by redson
http://www.carhoods.com/HoodPages/PF-470.htm http://www.usbody.com/Pages_Cars/68-Corvette.htm <--These 1st two ads look identical,whats that about?
Team Owner
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
I had a 69 with a 2" or 3" "dominator" hood on it. I liked it. That vented one from ACI is ugly, IMO. The 4" "dominator is ok, but the shorter is better looking. Do you really need that much room?
Team Owner
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Don't forget http://vanacorvette.com/
Edit... Mine had the HCI-55 hood. It says it's 2 1/4" over stock. I'm looking for a picture...
Edit... Mine had the HCI-55 hood. It says it's 2 1/4" over stock. I'm looking for a picture...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fidalgo Island Wa
Originally Posted by CGGorman
Don't forget http://vanacorvette.com/
Edit... Mine had the HCI-55 hood. It says it's 2 1/4" over stock. I'm looking for a picture...
Edit... Mine had the HCI-55 hood. It says it's 2 1/4" over stock. I'm looking for a picture...
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Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Lakeland Florida
Well, first of all can you trust ordering from a shop that has incorrect information on the advertisement sheet?
1968-1984 Corvette 4.5" Dominator Cowl Hood
I know its nit picky and a simple mistake, but its the overall quality of the organization that may be suspect.
kdf
1968-1984 Corvette 4.5" Dominator Cowl Hood
I know its nit picky and a simple mistake, but its the overall quality of the organization that may be suspect.
kdf
Racer
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 259
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From: Eagle WI
Back in 1989 my father ordered a fiberglass cowl type hood for a project (non-vette) from U.S. Body source in Florida. Delivery took about 3 weeks longer than promised. The hood bolted on but required a lot of work - front corners weren't "square", waves in glass, and lots of pinholes in surface. Didn't want to waste more time & no one else made a hood for that car at the time, so we fixed it. Maybe they improved over the years?
Last year my brother bought a 4" cowl hood for his 64 Chevelle project from VFN. We were going to be near their place one weekend, so one of the guys met us there on a Sat. so we could pick it up and save shipping. The person we delt with (can't remember name right now) was very nice too. His hood has a few small pinholes, nothing big, but bolted on good and is straight. IMO a much better piece than what our dad got from U.S. Body source years ago.
My 68 has an Ecklers hood that seems pretty good, but it was on the car when I got it, so I can't comment on the "raw" product.
As far as how it looks, pick what looks good to you / meets your needs for clearance. Changing a hood isn't a permanent deal and you can save the stock hood incase you want to change back.
Last year my brother bought a 4" cowl hood for his 64 Chevelle project from VFN. We were going to be near their place one weekend, so one of the guys met us there on a Sat. so we could pick it up and save shipping. The person we delt with (can't remember name right now) was very nice too. His hood has a few small pinholes, nothing big, but bolted on good and is straight. IMO a much better piece than what our dad got from U.S. Body source years ago.
My 68 has an Ecklers hood that seems pretty good, but it was on the car when I got it, so I can't comment on the "raw" product.
As far as how it looks, pick what looks good to you / meets your needs for clearance. Changing a hood isn't a permanent deal and you can save the stock hood incase you want to change back.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,941
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From: Fidalgo Island Wa
I've seen 2 hoods from Ecklers that the owners were very happy with,but I know nothing about US Body,Car-Hoods,or VFN besides what you just stated.This is a touigh decision to make w/o much info to go on.I was hoping to get something straight & good quality to save on lots of body work,but it sounds like a crap shoot! 
Theres ACI too,than I'm told supplys Ecklers and others with hoods,etc.,so you'd be inclined to think theyre good...
Theres ACI too,than I'm told supplys Ecklers and others with hoods,etc.,so you'd be inclined to think theyre good...
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From: Overland Park Kansas
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Originally Posted by CGGorman
Don't forget http://vanacorvette.com/
Edit... Mine had the HCI-55 hood. It says it's 2 1/4" over stock. I'm looking for a picture...
Edit... Mine had the HCI-55 hood. It says it's 2 1/4" over stock. I'm looking for a picture...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fidalgo Island Wa
Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
You guys are forgetting that Vanacor's is in New Orleans. They may not be a choice again -- even if you WANT to buy from them. I posted a query to see if anyone's heard a status on them a week ago. No responses....
Race Director
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From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by kdf1986
Well, first of all can you trust ordering from a shop that has incorrect information on the advertisement sheet?
1968-1984 Corvette 4.5" Dominator Cowl Hood
I know its nit picky and a simple mistake, but its the overall quality of the organization that may be suspect.
kdf
1968-1984 Corvette 4.5" Dominator Cowl Hood
I know its nit picky and a simple mistake, but its the overall quality of the organization that may be suspect.
kdf
Racer
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Tennessee
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Vanacor is open for business. I talked to them on monday and ordered a hood for my 70. They now offer a 4 inch L-88 versus the 2 1/4. They have to build it and said it would ship in two weeks. They suffered no damage but power and phone outages.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fidalgo Island Wa
Originally Posted by Fevre
Funny I was going to post the same thing before reading any replies after I saw the link open.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fidalgo Island Wa
Originally Posted by TNBUSA
Vanacor is open for business. I talked to them on monday and ordered a hood for my 70. They now offer a 4 inch L-88 versus the 2 1/4. They have to build it and said it would ship in two weeks. They suffered no damage but power and phone outages.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Republic of Texas
Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
You guys are forgetting that Vanacor's is in New Orleans. They may not be a choice again -- even if you WANT to buy from them. I posted a query to see if anyone's heard a status on them a week ago. No responses....
Actually Vanacor is about 30miles OUTSIDE of the city and received no damage, I passed by there the other day. Try them on the phone again they ARE still in business.
