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QwkTrip 11sec Club
Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Posts: 3942 Location: Peoria, IL
1989 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 6:40 pm Post subject: That special piece of wood that holds up the hood |
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We all have one. It's that piece of wood in the garage that's just the right length, has the notches on the end so it won't slip off, and it's kept separate from the scrap wood because you don't dare lose it. After 12 years of putting my neck under the red metal guillotine I finally replaced the struts on the Firebird hood. If that doesn't prove I'm serious about finishing my car, then I don't know what does.
I've lovingly cared for that piece of wood for a long time. Never losing track of it. Carrying it from Washington to Illinois. It will still have a special spot on my shelf, but it will be a long time before it is needed again. |
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Dewey316 The Lama
Joined: 08 Jan 2004 Posts: 7295 Location: Bringing the tech
1990 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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I use a Spohn LCA for my hood prop.... |
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Al Hasse Member
Joined: 19 Nov 2005 Posts: 4379 Location: Bremerton, WA
1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:33 pm Post subject: |
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The struts on the 92 work, and when they failed, they've been replaced very shortly after.
At the moment, I have no idea if the struts on the 89 work. The hood sits on top of the roof, padded by a blanket to sort of protect the roof _________________ 92 Camaro
89 Camaro
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QwkTrip 11sec Club
Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Posts: 3942 Location: Peoria, IL
1989 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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Dewey316 wrote: | I use a Spohn LCA for my hood prop.... |
Fancy pants. |
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iansane Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2004 Posts: 5740 Location: Bothell
1991 Pontiac Trans Am
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 8:53 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah. Both my hood struts and trunk struts work flawlessly. Lifetime warranty ftw! _________________
Quote: | Sometimes I actually think I'm slightly retarded in the mouth. |
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Whiskeychick Member
Joined: 19 Sep 2010 Posts: 225 Location: Penticton BC
1987 Pontiac GTA
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:44 pm Post subject: |
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I just replaced my hood struts too
I used to use the jack stand T shaped piece lol _________________ 1987 - Trans am GTA, hooker headers, Borla catback, Cat delete, CAI, 9.6 @ 75mph 1/8mile
1978 - Trans am 6.6/TA, Gold bird. Workin on it
2008 - Mini Cooper Clubman S, Hot Chocolate on Hot Chocolate Lounge Leather |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 9:50 pm Post subject: Re: That special piece of wood that holds up the hood |
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QwkTrip wrote: | it's kept separate from the scrap wood because you don't dare lose it. |
Man, I just find a new piece of something each time. Doesn't even have to be wood. |
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Richster Magic Fingers
Joined: 06 Oct 2008 Posts: 879 Location: The Black-Hole
1983 Pontiac Trans Am
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:00 pm Post subject: |
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Until I put the new struts on...My golf driver did a great job _________________
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chevymad Master B
Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 5474
1987 Pontiac Formula
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 10:37 pm Post subject: |
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It's a huge pet peeve of mine trying to working on peoples cars with inoperable hood struts. They dont look under it so they dont care.. lol So.. I keep my struts working so at least my own car doesnt clobber me. |
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RSFreak The other "John"
Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 2946 Location: Renton
1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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Posted: Sat Jul 02, 2011 11:01 pm Post subject: |
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Sucks to pull the battery when you don't have that stick (or functioning struts) and have to let the hood rest on your back while you unbolt it. _________________ '86 Trans Am - 5.0L TPI - LT1 cam - 700R4 - WS6
'85 Camaro Berlinetta - IROC clone
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91RSVert Member
Joined: 16 May 2007 Posts: 2736 Location: AR
1991 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 2:54 am Post subject: |
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RSFreak wrote: | Sucks to pull the battery when you don't have that stick (or functioning struts) and have to let the hood rest on your back while you unbolt it. |
I did that while trying to rob part of a wireharness of a junkyard car. It sucks!! |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 7:31 am Post subject: |
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Man, you were at the junkyard! It's a veritable treasure trove of stuff to hold hoods up. I've used exhaust pipes, manifolds, driveshafts, even hood props from cars that were built by people smart enough not to use struts, you name it. |
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chevymad Master B
Joined: 11 Jan 2004 Posts: 5474
1987 Pontiac Formula
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 10:12 am Post subject: |
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The one 3d gen that I ever work on at work.. someone has stolen a hood prop from a different car and fastened it on. Of course the hood only opens to an awkward 3/4 open.. but hey.. it has a prop. |
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jchaussee Member
Joined: 14 Nov 2010 Posts: 1318 Location: renton
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 10:25 am Post subject: |
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Mine workb kinof. They slooowly lower down. I just know its time to lift it back up when I feel a little tap on my back. |
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RSFreak The other "John"
Joined: 23 Jan 2004 Posts: 2946 Location: Renton
1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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Those big heavy hoods on older muscle cars stayed up with no problem without struts or a prop, just sayin'... _________________ '86 Trans Am - 5.0L TPI - LT1 cam - 700R4 - WS6
'85 Camaro Berlinetta - IROC clone
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BluFbdy Member
Joined: 16 Jul 2010 Posts: 915 Location: Port Orchard WA
1989 Chevrolet Camaro RS
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 3:03 pm Post subject: |
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Ive had to hold my hood up with my back so many times i cant even count, and it always seemed to be in the middle of the night, long ways from the house, some kind of dust storm or monsoon or any other natural mishap that decided to pop up that day, i had a busted wood broom handle i used forever then after 3 weeks of not needing it i tossed it....bad idea lol i definitly need new struts now there is no way in hell im letting a steel cowl hood rest on my back that just spells trouble
Im with aaron though i just grab whatever is convenient i changed my oil yesterday and grabbed a broom handle flimsy little metal piece of crap, realized it was too big so i set it on the ground in between the belt and the fan lol, then it decided to bend on me and come down while i was leaning in the engine bay, but dont worry my head caught it! I proceeded to bend the broken broom handle in half to a normal length and prop it like i usually do double the strength half the length right? _________________ If you expect a kick to the balls and get a slap to the face its still a victory
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Quasi-Traction "I have petals"
Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 3873 Location: stumptown
1986 Chevrolet Camaro Berlinetta
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 5:25 pm Post subject: |
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Richster wrote: | Until I put the new struts on...My golf driver did a great job :lol: |
*nod* #5 wood with a busted head was the first hood prop I used. |
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aaron_sK Member
Joined: 23 Jan 2006 Posts: 8834 Location: Back in beautiful Tacompton
1987 Chevrolet Camaro IROC-Z
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 6:18 pm Post subject: |
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RSFreak wrote: | Those big heavy hoods on older muscle cars stayed up with no problem without struts or a prop, just sayin'... |
Ever notice the large coil spring and lever system they had? A little big bigger than the setup on these cars.
I'm all for a prop however. Seems like it would be simple to build. |
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QwkTrip 11sec Club
Joined: 17 Feb 2004 Posts: 3942 Location: Peoria, IL
1989 Pontiac Firebird
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 6:40 pm Post subject: |
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Yep, the prop is good. |
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DBL_TKE Member
Joined: 28 Feb 2007 Posts: 1505 Location: Aloha, OR
1991 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:07 pm Post subject: |
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Haven't you ever noticed how much our hoods flex when you use a prop rod? Lift off fiberglass hood for me. _________________ Richmond 3.73 posi| 36/24 sway bars | SLP LM2 | Koni's | Ground Control 800/200 | Y2K wheels | Dyno Don headers & Y-pipe | airfoil | BBK underdrive pulleys | Raised strut mounts | Extended ball joints | LCARB'S
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