When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
On my 71 I got the lines and even the condenser out with the hood on but it was not easy, it may be easier to take the hood off if you are familiar with that.
I have never pulled the hood and was concerned about getting it aligned again and a little bit about damaging it which is why I made it happen with the hood on.
I just removed my hood to install the largest a/c condenser I can squish in my 68...it had been about a dozen years since I'd done it. It is quite easy even by yourself. Not worth trying to avoid it since you may scratch a bunch of stuff otherwise.
Here is how I did it since I did it by myself. It would be easier if you had help but not really necessary.
1. I open hood, mark locations on hood where the hinges are mounted, place a bunch of towels and/or blankets around edge and front of body where hood sits (AND ENSURE THE POINTY END OF THE HOOD HAS A BLANKET BENEATH IT FOR WHEN YOU LOOSEN THE BOLTS), get a piece of wood to support the hood from within the engine compartment, disconnect the hood prop, unbolt the hinge mounts (at hood side).
2. Now the hood is just sitting there against the multiple towels/blankets and being held up by the piece of wood in the engine compartment and the blankets below the pointy end.
3. I ensure I have a clear path for where I will be hanging, or setting down, the hood.
4. From the front of the car I lift the hood (blankets are protecting body & hood) since it's really rather light and move it to the predetermined storage location.
You can see below that you have quite a bit of room to work when hood is removed. Here is my temporarily bolted-down
16"x 24" new condenser (it's about the biggest I could fit in without cutting stuff).
As long as you have at least one helper to simply hold things (two helpers even better) I find removing and replacing the hood simple. Do put towels, a plastic bag or similar around the hinge area to catch any shims that may fall out. Keep track of how many shim(s) on each side. Remove the four bolts with the helper(s) holding the hood and just lift it off. Of course have a place ready to put the hood. A bed is perfect.
Just reverse to reinstall. The shims like to slip out so again lay something down to catch them. I've had mine off three times and it seems to go back into the exact right position almost automatically--I've never had to readjust after first tightening the bolts. Do close the hood very slowly after installation to be certain it's not grossly maladjusted.
08-03-2018, 08:48 AM
Is hood removal necessary for A/C hose r&r?
