Hood Support Conversion on my 85

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Jul 13, 2013 | 11:06 AM

84wuzmy1st

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

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From: Valrico Florida

Hood Support Conversion on my 85

I desperately want to do the conversion to the newer style hood lift support on my 85 but I can't find the lower bracket anywhere.

Getting the strut and upper bracket looks to be no problem, anyone have a good source for the lower bracket?

I wounder why all the usual businesses stopped selling a conversion kit?

Anyone think I should just keep the scissor style and replace the 2 smaller assist struts? I read in other threads even new they don't do much.

Jul 13, 2013 | 11:31 AM

laurieb

Instructor

Joined: Apr 2013

Posts: 201

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From: Sacramento CA

I didn't realize there is (was?) an option to convert to the newer style. My 85s assist struts don't assist at all anymore, and that hood weighs a ton. I don't mind the scissor style support bar, but if new struts aren't really going to help, perhaps a conversion is the way. I'm interested in seeing the replies you get, as well.

Jul 13, 2013 | 11:41 AM

84wuzmy1st

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Burning Brakes

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From: Valrico Florida

Yeah, there are a lot of old threads on the subject but many of them send you to sites or pages that don't exist online anymore. Apparently kits to do the conversion were sold in the past but are all gone now.

The upper bracket can be purchased at Ecklers, and my Late Production 85 has the holes for the bolts in the hood. The strut can be purchased from just about anywhere. The lower bracket...

... I am guessing I am going to have to get lucky on. I sent a few requests out, going to see if I get any replies from Vette2Vette or Corvettenutz.

Jul 13, 2013 | 02:00 PM

peyc2

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Joined: Oct 2012

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I just did the conversion on my 85 this past March.
I found a used 87 drivers side strut, complete with upper and lower brackets on eBay for about $75.00 but no bolts.

It not hard at all, I was able to use the bolts from the old scissor type on the passengers side. The hood already has the holes and threading in the hood on the driver side. The only thing that was a little tricky is getting the bracket onto the bottom in the exact location. I had to push the lines that run against the frame rail over about an 1/8 inch to slip it in.

It's is SO much better on the drivers side. My garage is very tight and every time I had to close it from the passengers side I was close to scratching car, now it's o problem.

Jul 13, 2013 | 11:46 PM

vetteoz

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Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 3,556

Likes: 13

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84wuzmy1st

assist struts?
I read in other threads even new they don't do much.

Must be reading the wrong posts

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-g...post1546608264
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1568048010-post3.html

They do everything
A late style gas main strut and the 2 assist struts will open the hood by itself once you lift it 3rd way up.
Some have even removed one assist strut because the hood opened to fast

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1544426203-post8.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/1583130791-post11.html

Jul 14, 2013 | 03:04 AM

gerardvg

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Joined: Aug 2009

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From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Quote:

Originally Posted by vetteoz

Must be reading the wrong posts

I replaced the small assist struts in my 85 recently, was amazed how light the hood was with them.

The scissor style hood support does not need to do anything now, the small assist struts hold the hood open, you need to pull the hood to close it now.

no more risk of the hood falling on me now.

Jul 14, 2013 | 07:23 AM

Deepa

Burning Brakes

Joined: Mar 2010

Posts: 1,094

Likes: 68

From: Providence RI

Where can I find the hardware for the 2 smaller struts for my 91? I've had the two smaller ones for a few years but never figured out the mounting hardware...

edit...is this what you're looking for? http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...oducts_id=2204

Mike

Last edited by Deepa; Jul 14, 2013 at 07:34 AM.

Jul 14, 2013 | 08:32 AM

84wuzmy1st

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2013

Posts: 768

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From: Valrico Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deepa

Nope, that bracket won't work on the 85.

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Jul 14, 2013 | 08:36 AM

84wuzmy1st

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2013

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From: Valrico Florida

Ok, I am going to just swap the 2 small struts.

corvettenutz.com does have a conversion setup. Top bracket, bottom bracket, and long strut for drivers side if anyone is interested. E-mail shawn@corvettenutz.com for info.

Jul 14, 2013 | 08:37 AM

#10

Muffin

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Joined: Jun 1999

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From: Merritt Ils Fl

Keep an eye on the parts for sale section. There are almost always one or more cars being parted out. Buy the entire piece.

Jul 14, 2013 | 10:07 AM

#11

84wuzmy1st

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

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From: Valrico Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muffin

Keep an eye on the parts for sale section. There are almost always one or more cars being parted out. Buy the entire piece.

Sorry, to be clear, He has the entire piece. He sent me pics of it still on the car.

Jul 14, 2013 | 11:37 AM

#12

Muffin

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Joined: Jun 1999

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From: Merritt Ils Fl

Quote:

Originally Posted by 84wuzmy1st

Sorry, to be clear, He has the entire piece. He sent me pics of it still on the car.

Guess I wasn't clear, from a part out is about the only place you will find the requsit pieces and parts. I think I paid something like $30.00

for mine from a member.

Jul 14, 2013 | 07:53 PM

#13

vetteoz

Safety Car

Joined: Jan 2004

Posts: 3,556

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Deepa

Where can I find the hardware for the 2 smaller struts for my 91? .....never figured out the mounting hardware...

The mounting studs for the assist struts should be on the hood hinges, ( even if your car didn't have them installed )
you will have to sort out the locking pin by yourself

Jul 21, 2013 | 02:02 PM

#14

84wuzmy1st

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2013

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From: Valrico Florida

Follow up.

I swapped the 2 small hood struts with new ones from RockAuto (SACHS SG430011 $23 Shipped).

It does make a significant difference opening the hood. Thanks all for the advice.

Jul 22, 2013 | 12:00 AM

#15

Jerry Roubos

Instructor

Joined: Feb 2012

Posts: 216

Likes: 1

From: Hemet California

My assist struts must really be bad. I don't think they are working at all. I thought raising the hood on my C4 was extremely difficult. I just thought they were all that way so I am glad the subject was brought up, now I will order a couple next week.