My hood stayed on !!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
My hood stayed on !!!
For those who remember I had finally installed my L88 hood on the car. Unfortunately I could not take it out for a spin until I finished the hydraulic strut supports and retrofitting of the older style hood latch system.
I had to modify and make the two lower brackets that the spring towers sit on as they sit wider than the stock latches on my '77. Once I had them in the right place I had to mount the hood latch assemblies on the hood, which was not designed to have these style latches.
They went on smooth, and adjustment of the latches with the spring towers went very well once I figured out how to adjust them lower.
The hood will need some massaging to get all the seams right but it's in and looks good and it latches and releases perfectly.
I was so happy I took it out for a drive. It was nice driving with the hood on and the temp never breached 200...well, according to the dash gauge. The firewall gauge I installed in the other head read 210 when I shut it off and checked it real quick.
So, I have the new hood on, the hydraulic support hold it up straight and strong, and the retrofitted hood latch system works like a charm.
VERY happy.
I had to modify and make the two lower brackets that the spring towers sit on as they sit wider than the stock latches on my '77. Once I had them in the right place I had to mount the hood latch assemblies on the hood, which was not designed to have these style latches.
They went on smooth, and adjustment of the latches with the spring towers went very well once I figured out how to adjust them lower.
The hood will need some massaging to get all the seams right but it's in and looks good and it latches and releases perfectly.
I was so happy I took it out for a drive. It was nice driving with the hood on and the temp never breached 200...well, according to the dash gauge. The firewall gauge I installed in the other head read 210 when I shut it off and checked it real quick.
So, I have the new hood on, the hydraulic support hold it up straight and strong, and the retrofitted hood latch system works like a charm.
VERY happy.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota Florida
For those who remember I had finally installed my L88 hood on the car. Unfortunately I could not take it out for a spin until I finished the hydraulic strut supports and retrofitting of the older style hood latch system.
I had to modify and make the two lower brackets that the spring towers sit on as they sit wider than the stock latches on my '77. Once I had them in the right place I had to mount the hood latch assemblies on the hood, which was not designed to have these style latches.
They went on smooth, and adjustment of the latches with the spring towers went very well once I figured out how to adjust them lower.
The hood will need some massaging to get all the seams right but it's in and looks good and it latches and releases perfectly.
I was so happy I took it out for a drive. It was nice driving with the hood on and the temp never breached 200...well, according to the dash gauge. The firewall gauge I installed in the other head read 210 when I shut it off and checked it real quick.
So, I have the new hood on, the hydraulic support hold it up straight and strong, and the retrofitted hood latch system works like a charm.
VERY happy.
I had to modify and make the two lower brackets that the spring towers sit on as they sit wider than the stock latches on my '77. Once I had them in the right place I had to mount the hood latch assemblies on the hood, which was not designed to have these style latches.
They went on smooth, and adjustment of the latches with the spring towers went very well once I figured out how to adjust them lower.
The hood will need some massaging to get all the seams right but it's in and looks good and it latches and releases perfectly.
I was so happy I took it out for a drive. It was nice driving with the hood on and the temp never breached 200...well, according to the dash gauge. The firewall gauge I installed in the other head read 210 when I shut it off and checked it real quick.
So, I have the new hood on, the hydraulic support hold it up straight and strong, and the retrofitted hood latch system works like a charm.
VERY happy.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
I don't have pics of the mounts, as there really isn't much to take pictures of, but here are a few of the other items mentioned.
I can take some later of the latches and spring towers.
I can take some later of the latches and spring towers.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Yeah it was a trick mounting the hood latches up there. I drilled holes and used heavy duty drywall anchors.
The intake is custom made by me. It's a standard GM air cleaner spacer cut down to 1.5". Then, a stock hat from a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee, a stock intake tube from a late model Oldsmobile Alero, and finally a generic reusable cone filter that fit both the intake tube and the tight space on that side.
Yes, I did not worry about the paint. It's trash anyway and it only has to last me one more year or so. Most of that will clean up with some clay and I may even buff it.
Thanks for the compliments. I'm very happy with the way the car is turning out.
Here are the seats I chose and installed.
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota Florida
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 114
From: St. Louis Mo
Looking real good Matt, too bad you cant bring it to Mid America, but maybe next year. See you up there tomorrow, we will all be parked together and have the Shark tent so you wont be able to miss us............LT
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Not yet, but I will this next week. I just have a lot going on right now and the budget is tight.
Yep, can't wait. Scott and I should roll in about 10:30 so I hope to see all of you there. Are you guys BBQing or will there be food an hand?
Celica seats for sure man. I paid $111 shipped to my house. Corvette seats would have been another $500 on top of that. I love these seats, stain and all.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Yes, the 405 LT1 is slated to go in this next fall now. I have it to where I can make it legal again and drive it and I want to enjoy it for at least a year before it goes down again for the motor and maybe paint.
If I save enough money between now and then I might just sell it and get an LS motor.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 1
From: Aussie expat in Saudi Arabia