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I hate dropping my hood

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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 07:20 PM
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Default I hate dropping my hood

OK.....since I play with the motor alot....the hood gets a workout. I have to drop my hood from around 10 inches or higher for it to close and latch. Everything is aligned correctly according to shop body book. Is this normal for 80-82?? I think the gasket is the culpret.

Anyone have a trick to solve this....what would be nice is to have a "draw down" latch system.....no dropping....

PS...I don't want to push on the hood....micro dust and dirt will certainly scratch the paint.
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 07:23 PM
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Default Good topic

I have the same issue on my 75.
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 07:28 PM
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About a year ago there was a long debate / thread about dropping or pushing the hood down. There were a lot of guys that have been dropping the hood on a car for twenty plus years and there was never any damage. In fact, the recommended way is to drop it from about 7-10 inches up. The push down method is also used a lot, but not needed in my opinion.
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 07:33 PM
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I push mine down. If I had to worry about micro dust I would never drive the car. Either way is not going to do any damage.
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 07:33 PM
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Same problem here. When I am working on it a lot, (test & tune) I don't bother latching it to reduce the number of drops.
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 07:38 PM
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I push mine down after cleaning off the micro dust...

I would never drop it.
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Z-man
I push mine down after cleaning off the micro dust...

I would never drop it.
Would never drop mine...not with all the work I did on that paint...Muddy
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 08:03 PM
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I push mine down. Micro dust WTF.

"Whats the last thing that went thru that bugs mind when you hit him at 85 mph?" Your micro dust or bug **** that needs to be scrubed off?
Watch ouch for that bird doo its more abrasive. Guess you ought to drive in a big Zip-Lock bag.
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 08:29 PM
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Could not stop laughing...great ribbing !!! Driving in a bag is classic...

Good point for not fully latching for quick tests....heck, the hood can't blow open !~!!!

I guess I will wait a few years on the motorized draw down latches!!!
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 08:52 PM
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On my C3 and C6, I shoot some spray detailer on a microfiber cloth, do a quick wipe, then push the hood down to latch over each side . .if it's not going to be driven, I just leave it unlatched.

Just my .02 . . . but always a good discussion on how best to take care of these cars....easy to get over the top, though!
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 10:25 PM
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Originally Posted by mdbelanger
I push mine down. Micro dust WTF.

"Whats the last thing that went thru that bugs mind when you hit him at 85 mph?" Your micro dust or bug **** that needs to be scrubed off?
Watch ouch for that bird doo its more abrasive. Guess you ought to drive in a big Zip-Lock bag.
Excellent!!
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 10:36 PM
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Dropping or pushing.. i was tired of both so i removed the latches and spring assemblies, soaked, media blasted and rebuilt them, replaced the cross under hood cable and the cable that pops the hood... now it closes like butter.. i admit ajusting was tedius, but worth it... not to mention it looks better as well...
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 10:41 PM
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P.S. Micro dust WTF!! I wont even ask if your vette has a bra!!!!!
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 11:07 PM
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Dust is Dust.... Now Micro dust is a new one. Where did that come from?
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 11:13 PM
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Believe it not, no bra....can't stand the look. Micro dust, dirt, grit....settle on the surface of the paint....wipe your fingers across...it scratches. The only time you can touch the surface without damage is right after washing or some other proper cleaning process. The micro fiber towels are great....as long as they are clean. Let me go get my clay bar now

Red70....blueprinting the latches sounds like a good idea. Does your hood have rubber molding.? Can new release cables help the closing aspect....or was rebuilding responsible for the smooth as butter operation?

PS....I should have said "micro grit".......

Last edited by sjmaster; Nov 10, 2007 at 11:16 PM.
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Old Nov 10, 2007 | 11:27 PM
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Default ragtag74

I have not had latches on my hood for years. no dropping or pushing it just lays there. been up to about 120 a few times and it still just lays there. John
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Old Nov 11, 2007 | 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted by mdbelanger
I push mine down. Micro dust WTF.
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To I hate dropping my hood

Old Nov 11, 2007 | 12:37 AM
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Originally Posted by ragtag74
I have not had latches on my hood for years. no dropping or pushing it just lays there. been up to about 120 a few times and it still just lays there. John
Sounds like you're asking for trouble. Don't ask me how, but it'll suck the day that you have to say, "I wish I had hood latches."
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Old Nov 11, 2007 | 01:32 AM
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Default MVD Inspector Cracked My Hood!

Back at day one on its first inspection the mechanic lowered the hood and than pushed on the corner and cracked the hood.
Then with the new hood installed, I closed it and could not get to open!
Then when I got it open I removed the left side male part.
Now I have to lift up the left side and pull the center wire to pop the right side.
I considered hood pins, but not sure how they would look.
Ragtag74 You say the hood stays there, ok but is there a measurement to get the hood to work properly? Pete.
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Old Nov 11, 2007 | 05:04 AM
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Its very safe to say that none of us are the original owners of our cars and who knows what was done over the years. Prior to paint the hood was off as well as the entire wiper door,trim, and complete wiper door lift assembly. AS mentioned, it was all redone and put back with perfect gaps ect. even from the factory the gaps were never perfect. Yes i did replace the hood seal. Why did i go threw all this trouble? Everytime i hit even the smallest rough patch of road my hodd would pop up, and that drove me insane!!!!!
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