Clam shell, help or hinderance
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
Clam shell, help or hinderance
Be doing a lot of work on my C4 and started to wonder if the clam shell was really better they previous and current Corvettes in ease to work on. Yes its easy to reach grease fitting, and battery, but I notice that its brutal on the back since you have no fender to lean on. Looking at the C1 it seems like the easiest to lean on and work. The C2s fender hump seems like a problem and the C3 seems OK but like all Corvettes they are low. Plus the weight of the clamshell seems at times trying when its a one man job opening and closing. What have been others experiences who maybe owned a different generation Corvette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,096
Likes: 153
From: "Atlanta" Ga.
Own a c4 an a c5 and have spent time with other hoods as well
The clam shell hood on the C4 is in my opinion is very cool. I like better than most any other design on a mass produced car. It's also frendly to me in that I can rest on the tire or stand on it
and not worry about the paint.
Plus the engine bay looks really cool as well with both tire wells open like that, just says race car to me
The clam shell hood on the C4 is in my opinion is very cool. I like better than most any other design on a mass produced car. It's also frendly to me in that I can rest on the tire or stand on it
and not worry about the paint.Plus the engine bay looks really cool as well with both tire wells open like that, just says race car to me
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
the clamshell hood is not intended to make the car easier to work on. thats about the last concern lol. the clamshell eliminates a lot of body lines you would see on a car with a normal hood. its a styling feature
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
I owned/worked on a C3 for 14 years. Over 200k miles. I hated to deal with that big white fender. Fender covers never stay exactly where they need to be. Spilling brake fluid, oil, whatever always a possibility. Not to mention, if you need some one else to do repairs. If it aint their car, they are not as careful about these things. 
I dont worry about scratching a tire on my C4 when doing service.
I dont worry about scratching a tire on my C4 when doing service.
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I like the clamshell in that it makes it easier to work on the under hood components, but it weighs a lot. I dont know if you guys have the shock assist thing but all i've got is that stupid folding hinge.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,071
Likes: 147
From: S Nevada
I like the access the C4 clamshell provides. I did some work on a C3 before it was tight. As for height of the C4, I lowered mine using VBP's springs, and all I can say is its about as low as you can go. Depending on what Im doing I put the car on jackstands to ease the strain on my back.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 1
From: MidOhio
I've been working on cars for over 40 years and the first thing I questioned when I started looking at buying a C4 was, "Is this better than a fendered car to work on?". I was concerned since, in my 6th decade, my back doesn't take it like it used to much less my knees. After many examinations of C4 engine compartments at car shows, I decided I liked the clamshells access but would build a "belly" rest to lean on for most jobs on the engine. This would fit on the lower wheel well where the hood rests or the tire-might need one for each side. Since I don't have the C4 yet, I haven't designed these but after a summer full of working on cars (now my sons), I know they're gonna get build 'cause the strain isn't getting any better and I still don't cotton to letting someone else work on my cars! 
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Flint MI: Birthplace of the Corvette
I really like the clamshell for engine access. If it's too hard to lift check out the two small lifts at the front of the hood. Mine were shot and the clamshell was a struggle to lift. New lifts = no problem! The lifts are about $8 each at http://www.rockauto.com. They install in about 10 minutes. I did have to get a helper to support the hood while I put them on my '86. Unbolting the top brackets (2 bolts) made them easier to install. They make the most difference in the last 1/3 of the hood opening. Mine hold the hood up with no weight on the hood prop.
Dave T.
Dave T.
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From: Downtown Annapolis, MD. The Future is where we all have to live. Let's not screw it up.
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
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Own a c4 an a c5 and have spent time with other hoods as well
The clam shell hood on the C4 is in my opinion is very cool. I like better than most any other design on a mass produced car. It's also frendly to me in that I can rest on the tire or stand on it and not worry about the paint.
Plus the engine bay looks really cool as well with both tire wells open like that, just says race car to me
The clam shell hood on the C4 is in my opinion is very cool. I like better than most any other design on a mass produced car. It's also frendly to me in that I can rest on the tire or stand on it
and not worry about the paint.Plus the engine bay looks really cool as well with both tire wells open like that, just says race car to me
Other than having a vw Dune buggy or baja buggy the clam shell hood makes it so easy to work on the entire engine compartment. As for the raising and lowering of the hood on a C4 it goes up with one hand and I use both hands to lower it so as not to slam it shut. Mine is very well balanced.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 2,830
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas Nevada
I owned/worked on a C3 for 14 years. Over 200k miles. I hated to deal with that big white fender. Fender covers never stay exactly where they need to be. Spilling brake fluid, oil, whatever always a possibility. Not to mention, if you need some one else to do repairs. If it aint their car, they are not as careful about these things. I dont worry about scratching a tire on my C4 when doing service.
I dont worry about scratching a tire on my C4 when doing service. Another plus for the design is they left the front bumper and lower fenders separate from the hood. I work on several Jaguar E Types at work and it has a similar hood but the entire front clip hinges up. It's a M*A*J*O*R PITA to work under the hood for any length of time. The hood doesn't open that far because the front rubber bumpers hit the ground and you have to be very careful to avoid hitting your head on the lower corners of the hood.
It's no fun working under that hood believe me. The Vette is a great design.
Tech Contributor
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From: Peoria Arizona.. Resident Gold Cylon