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If you remove tools, spray bottles, etc. that might be sitting on top of things in the engine compartment before closing the hood, it will be fine.
There's not a lot of room in between the hood and the intake, ecm, etc. I've seen more than one story of someone slamming the hood on top of a ratchet and causing damage. Witness a post above in this very thread:
Originally Posted by conv90
...Just like me yesterday night when I left the cell phone on the ECM box!
I think only 1/32" saved my hood and my phone!
-Beppe-
Originally Posted by jrp
I was also told when I bought mine to make sure the doors are shut before closing the hood. I forgot once and everything was OK, but it did appear to be a close call.
When the doors are open, there *might* be less clearance as the hood swings down. It appeared to be the case when I did it by mistake, but I haven't ever checked closely to be absolutely sure. Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
Hopefully I've clarified myself. Short story was that cracks happen from accidents and are not a worry in general.
Thanks for all the great replies. I thought this was a rummor by a non-Corvette owner. I have not done enough research on the cars. A 1995 with 30K miles came up, the current owners use it as a weekend car only. This is what I plan to do. Thanks to this forum I found resonable insurance for the weekend driver.
The Clam shell design is very unique and sets the Corvette apart from the rest.
The car is 300 miles away, so looks like I am off to the airlines or renting a plane to check it out. I hope it is what they have describe. If not I will keep looking. I will get a C4 and join the club.
When the doors are open, there *might* be less clearance as the hood swings down. It appeared to be the case when I did it by mistake, but I haven't ever checked closely to be absolutely sure. Maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong.
I bought it 2 1/2 yrs. ago @ 63k miles. Its got 71k miles now. I used to let the hood fall from about 8-10 inches, never had a problem.
Now that I have a SR intake, the clearance is very close. So, as an extra precaution I just lay the hood down and press both sides by the mirror to close.
With a stock intake, I can't imgaine what the fear comes from.
My hood and a number of others I have looked at all have a small crack right in the center of the hood at the rear edge, running towards the front of the car, about 1/2 inch long.
You sure that wasn't the paint? I've never seen anyone have cracked hood, unless they hit it with a hammer....
The car is 300 miles away, so looks like I am off to the airlines or renting a plane to check it out. I hope it is what they have describe. If not I will keep looking. I will get a C4 and join the club.
Thanks again,
Gary
Gary
That year with 30K miles is really GOOD. Get the owner to e-mail you some hi-rez digital photos that you can enlarge each side, front & rear, several of engine compartment (tell him to PLEASE not wash the engine prior to taking the pics) get 3 or 4 of the interior. Get him to take it to a garage and put it on a lift and take 4 or 5 of the underside.
300 miles is no problem. last March my son and I flew 1000 miles to purchase our 95 with 36K on it. After all of the hi-rez photos (30 of them) 4 hours of phone calls, I knew that it would be as represented. We met the owner at the airport, took a 10 min test drive, signed the papers and then had a simply wonderful time driveing 1000 miles home
Best of luck and be sure to tell us how you make out.
My hood and a number of others I have looked at all have a small crack right in the center of the hood at the rear edge, running towards the front of the car, about 1/2 inch long.
Some people have experienced slight hood cracks when their fan belt broke and it whipped the hood. Just check the belt condition for cracks and you will never see any hood cracks
Had a couple of bikini clad girls laying all over my hood this spring, for a photo shoot, and other than a few butt cheek marks and boobie marks (which washed off) there were no cracks on the hood...err...there were no cracks IN the hood I think the C4 hood is pretty stout!