Hood gas? struts
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
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Hood gas? struts
My hood has one short strut (maybe 9" long) on the passenger side just inboard of the headlight, and one long (3 ' ?) strut one the drvers side to hold the hood open. There are attachment brackets for another short strut on the drivers side - but no strut. Is it missing, or should there only be one shorty?
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Re: Hood gas? struts (britvette)
Sorry I wasn't around to answer earlier, but I was at the Nationals. I believe it was '88 (could have been '89) they went to the improved gas charged hood prop (the long one). With this, two small assist rods became unnecessary, so naturally to reduce costs, GM dropped the driver's side small assist rod. Earlier cars had two small assist rods though. When I switched to the later gas charged prop, I replaced both small assist rods and my hood almost shot off. I ended up removing the driver's side, just to make the travel a bit less dramatic, so it's configured just like yours.
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Re: Hood gas? struts (britvette)
My 86 just has the two shorties, and the old cricket leg style prop on the passenger side, both shorties are 100% dead, I find the hood somewhat heavier than the flip clip c3 anyhoo, if I replace the two shorties on my 86 do they open the hood or just "help" and about what will be the life span of new ones?
Thanx, C. :thumbs:
Thanx, C. :thumbs:
Thread Starter
Drifting
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Re: Hood gas? struts (Ray Quayle)
. I believe it was '88 (could have been '89) they went to the improved gas charged hood prop (the long one). With this, two small assist rods became unnecessary, so naturally to reduce costs, GM dropped the driver's side small assist rod. Earlier cars had two small assist rods though. When I switched to the later gas charged prop, I replaced both small assist rods and my hood almost shot off. I ended up removing the driver's side, just to make the travel a bit less dramatic, so it's configured just like yours.
Looks like another C4 secret. Thanks for that! I am now a happy bunny.
- 1986 Original Owner -
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Re: Hood gas? struts (The13Bats)
My 86 just has the two shorties, and the old cricket leg style prop on the passenger side, both shorties are 100% dead, I find the hood somewhat heavier than the flip clip c3 anyhoo, if I replace the two shorties on my 86 do they open the hood or just "help" and about what will be the life span of new ones?
Thanx, C. :thumbs:
Thanx, C. :thumbs:
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Re: Hood gas? struts (Ray Quayle)
Ray,
I think that I might hae a problem with my struts on my hood. It is very heavy to lift. I would like to upgrade if posible. Would you be able to forward the information that you have on this to me also?
Thank you,
Tim
I think that I might hae a problem with my struts on my hood. It is very heavy to lift. I would like to upgrade if posible. Would you be able to forward the information that you have on this to me also?
Thank you,
Tim
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From: Eustis ( Area 51 Bat Cave ) Fl
Re: Hood gas? struts (Ray Quayle)
Not sure I can open pdf....but I would love to see what you have done I planned to put electric lifts on the flip clip c3.....
thanks, C.
thanks, C.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
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From: Tucson Az
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Hood gas? struts (eric_daniel)
my 85 doesn't have any struts, just the hood prop on the passenger side.
Thread Starter
Drifting
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Re: Hood gas? struts (Ray Quayle)
I can send you a paper in pdf format I did on the upgrade to the late gas charged prop and hood springs, brackets, cables on my '86 if you'd like.
Thanks
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Saginaw TX
Re: Hood gas? struts (Caboboy)
Jeff at Superior had put together a list of parts to upgrade to the late gas charged prop. Chris should have the list. I have the scissor prop on my 86 and replaced the small gas struts and what a difference. The hood will stay up now without the scissor lock. About $30 at Napa..
Navigator
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Higganum CT
Re: Hood gas? struts (mash557)
They've gone up in price a bit (or they didn't give me as good a discount as they used to..), I just bought the short ones at NAPA 2 weeks ago and they were about $20 each still not a bad price. Huge difference in lifting after about half way, and as stated earlier, they will keep the hood up without the cricket leg even latching. Although I'm still in trouble shooting mode, so the long hydraulic lift that gets it going right from the start is starting to look tempting. :)
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Re: Hood gas? struts (Rykley)
Guys, I really need to update that paper now that I look at it again, but it's still worth a look. Some of the part numbers I've listed are from ZIP, but Superior is probably the best bet especially of Chris has Jeff's list of parts required. I'm listing a link to both the hood upgrade paper and also the hood alignment instructions from Mid America.
http://www.btinternet.com/~ray_quayl...d_hospital.pdf
http://www.btinternet.com/~ray_quayl...structions.pdf
http://www.btinternet.com/~ray_quayl...d_hospital.pdf
http://www.btinternet.com/~ray_quayl...structions.pdf
- 1986 Original Owner -
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Re: Hood gas? struts (The13Bats)
If clicking on the link doesn't open Acrobat, you'll need to download the reader. It's free here:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html