fiberglass hood - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**smokinn** · 01-23-2006, 07:19 PM

Anyone know of a good brand? Im looking for one that has a i think 2" riser also what kinda hinges wold I need?

Jason

Wild83C10 · 01-23-2006, 09:18 PM

Harwood makes the best fiberglass hoods. Top quality. I bought the 4 inch cowl for my '83. They also make a 3". www.eharwood.com It will cost you over $400 probably, but it's worth it. A good fiberglass hood should weigh about the same as the stock hood. I know a couple of people that bought cheaper hoods from other companies and had to spend hours try to make them straight. Mine came out of the box straight.

OJOE · 01-23-2006, 09:38 PM

harwood

C&C Chevy · 01-23-2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild83C10

A good fiberglass hood should weigh about the same as the stock hood.

So, why get a glass hood? I thought guys got the glass hoods to save weight?

Wild83C10 · 01-23-2006, 09:44 PM

You can get a glass hood to save weight but don't expect to use the stock hinges or have it look great. A liteweight glass hood will have to be secured with pins ever 8 inches or so. Typicall used on race cars only. Think about how much force is needed to close a hood. If the hood is thin and light then it would break in half.

piecesparts · 01-23-2006, 10:41 PM

My harwood hood on my 84 is just shy of half the weight and it is a good fit. I have had it on there for 9 years and it has stood up well. My hood is an earlier model and the hood is upported with a prop rod when it is open, but I don't find that to much of an issue. I have made brackets and purchased air shocks for it, but I have yet to get them installed (no prop rod needed then). My hood came and I had to to finish trim the fiberglass edges, but that was no problem for a die grinder. I have run the truck a speeds well over the triple number mark and the hood handles that pretty good. I have the one with the three i nch cowl hood scoop, and there is plenty of room under the hood for my engine/aluminum intake/4" K&N filter assembly. I am using the K&N X-Stream top lid so that I can get the air directly down the carb throat from the cowl intake.

**smokinn** · 01-24-2006, 01:05 AM

Ok but the ones ive seen wont cover the vent area like my hood has now. I mean my hood now has the vent cover.

piecesparts · 01-24-2006, 11:41 AM

Not quite sure what you are saying here??? Are you talking about the cowl inlet area? My hood had an insert that had two oval shaped openings that were screened, I smoothed them and they were painted to match the truck, so the inlet area is not just a big open hole. I chose the Harwood for fiberglass quality and the fact that the area inside was open enough for any engine mods I chose to do. Most metal hoods have the cross bracing still under the hood and it limits the room.

SSC's76 · 01-24-2006, 03:26 PM

Why Fiberglass? Steel is much better all around except for hail damage. Ive seen too many Harwood hoods crack to even ever consider one. My goodmark steel hood was only $425 and it fit nicely.

**Captkaos** · 01-24-2006, 04:19 PM

USBody also makes a good fiberglass hood.

84 400 · 01-24-2006, 06:36 PM

i am not a big fan cause i see them cracking but they doo look sweet

SanitysBane · 01-24-2006, 09:47 PM

So does anyone have any numbers to prove which is lighter? stock steel or fiberglass hood?

piecesparts · 01-24-2006, 09:59 PM

As I said earlier that my Harwood is definitely lighter than my factory steel one. It has stood up to time, quite well--at least 10 years of driving.

**smokinn** · 01-25-2006, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piecesparts

Not quite sure what you are saying here??? .

Im talking about the screen area under the window that has your windshiel wiper hoses. Mine is one piece hood and all. And it looks like the after market hoods do not have it.

piecesparts · 01-25-2006, 04:02 PM

Most after market COWL hoods have either a screen over the opening or a louvered opening in the back. If there are hoods out there that are not open or are just a big hole in the back, the are definitely not in the ballpark as the other qulaity units. My Harwood is 10 years old and it has dual openings in the back of the cowl scoop with screens on them (above the windshield wiper hoses, My hoses are mounted in the actual cowl grilled piece where the wipers are mounted)

AirMale · 01-25-2006, 04:19 PM

Another reason to use a Harwood is underhood clearance. The 3-4" cowl is actually extra room under the hood. Steel hoods have the stock shell under the cowl=no extra clearance. I personally like the steel but have not found one with real clearance under the hood.

piecesparts · 01-25-2006, 05:32 PM

The only way to acheive the extra space with a steel hood is to install a round inset to the cross-bracing, like a 69 Camaro hood. It can be done, but it takes time and skill.

01-23-2006, 07:19 PM	#1
smokinn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: omaha,Ne Posts: 617	fiberglass hood Anyone know of a good brand? Im looking for one that has a i think 2" riser also what kinda hinges wold I need? Jason

01-23-2006, 09:18 PM	#2
Wild83C10 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 910	Re: fiberglass hood Harwood makes the best fiberglass hoods. Top quality. I bought the 4 inch cowl for my '83. They also make a 3". www.eharwood.com It will cost you over $400 probably, but it's worth it. A good fiberglass hood should weigh about the same as the stock hood. I know a couple of people that bought cheaper hoods from other companies and had to spend hours try to make them straight. Mine came out of the box straight. __________________ 83 C10 Stepside (SOLD, it was a blast!) 383 MASS-FLO EFI/TKO II 600/3.90 Posi 10 bolt S475 and C4 DM running, fine tuning turbo= Douchebag Racing: Runs Fine all the Time

01-23-2006, 09:38 PM	#3
OJOE Crew Cut Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: MONTGOMERY,AL Posts: 757	Re: fiberglass hood harwood __________________ 85 SWB 1/2 TON CREWCAB/5.3 03 CHEV 3500 DURAMAX CREW CAB 85 CHEV SWB/TPI 06 CHEV TAHOE (WIFES) 30 MODEL A HOT ROD 07 HARLEY DAVIDSON BAGGER 09 STREET GLIDE AN D A LOT MORE JUNK

01-23-2006, 09:44 PM	#5
Wild83C10 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 910	Re: fiberglass hood You can get a glass hood to save weight but don't expect to use the stock hinges or have it look great. A liteweight glass hood will have to be secured with pins ever 8 inches or so. Typicall used on race cars only. Think about how much force is needed to close a hood. If the hood is thin and light then it would break in half. __________________ 83 C10 Stepside (SOLD, it was a blast!) 383 MASS-FLO EFI/TKO II 600/3.90 Posi 10 bolt S475 and C4 DM running, fine tuning turbo= Douchebag Racing: Runs Fine all the Time

01-23-2006, 10:41 PM	#6
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: fiberglass hood My harwood hood on my 84 is just shy of half the weight and it is a good fit. I have had it on there for 9 years and it has stood up well. My hood is an earlier model and the hood is upported with a prop rod when it is open, but I don't find that to much of an issue. I have made brackets and purchased air shocks for it, but I have yet to get them installed (no prop rod needed then). My hood came and I had to to finish trim the fiberglass edges, but that was no problem for a die grinder. I have run the truck a speeds well over the triple number mark and the hood handles that pretty good. I have the one with the three i nch cowl hood scoop, and there is plenty of room under the hood for my engine/aluminum intake/4" K&N filter assembly. I am using the K&N X-Stream top lid so that I can get the air directly down the carb throat from the cowl intake.

01-24-2006, 01:05 AM	#7
smokinn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: omaha,Ne Posts: 617	Re: fiberglass hood Ok but the ones ive seen wont cover the vent area like my hood has now. I mean my hood now has the vent cover.

01-24-2006, 11:41 AM	#8
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: fiberglass hood Not quite sure what you are saying here??? Are you talking about the cowl inlet area? My hood had an insert that had two oval shaped openings that were screened, I smoothed them and they were painted to match the truck, so the inlet area is not just a big open hole. I chose the Harwood for fiberglass quality and the fact that the area inside was open enough for any engine mods I chose to do. Most metal hoods have the cross bracing still under the hood and it limits the room. Last edited by piecesparts; 01-24-2006 at 11:41 AM.

01-24-2006, 03:26 PM	#9
SSC's76 No No Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Pueblo Colorado Posts: 1,781	Re: fiberglass hood Why Fiberglass? Steel is much better all around except for hail damage. Ive seen too many Harwood hoods crack to even ever consider one. My goodmark steel hood was only $425 and it fit nicely. Attached Images __________________ 1976 Custom Deluxe SWB Med FMB.3/4 Drop. Gen VI 454, Muncie HD 3 speed With Modified OE Hurst Shifter, 3.73 12 bolt, GMPP HO roller cam, Hooker headers, Performer intake with modified Q-jet, Accel distributor. Best 1/4 12.3 @108. Funnest run 19.84 @88 full 1/4 mile burn out. 1997 K1500 ext cab 5.7 stock except muffler

01-24-2006, 04:19 PM	#10
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: fiberglass hood USBody also makes a good fiberglass hood. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

01-24-2006, 06:36 PM	#11
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: fiberglass hood i am not a big fan cause i see them cracking but they doo look sweet __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out

01-24-2006, 09:47 PM	#12
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	Re: fiberglass hood So does anyone have any numbers to prove which is lighter? stock steel or fiberglass hood? __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

01-24-2006, 09:59 PM	#13
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: fiberglass hood As I said earlier that my Harwood is definitely lighter than my factory steel one. It has stood up to time, quite well--at least 10 years of driving.

01-25-2006, 04:02 PM	#15
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: fiberglass hood Most after market COWL hoods have either a screen over the opening or a louvered opening in the back. If there are hoods out there that are not open or are just a big hole in the back, the are definitely not in the ballpark as the other qulaity units. My Harwood is 10 years old and it has dual openings in the back of the cowl scoop with screens on them (above the windshield wiper hoses, My hoses are mounted in the actual cowl grilled piece where the wipers are mounted)

01-25-2006, 04:19 PM	#16
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	Re: fiberglass hood Another reason to use a Harwood is underhood clearance. The 3-4" cowl is actually extra room under the hood. Steel hoods have the stock shell under the cowl=no extra clearance. I personally like the steel but have not found one with real clearance under the hood. __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

01-25-2006, 05:32 PM	#17
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: fiberglass hood The only way to acheive the extra space with a steel hood is to install a round inset to the cross-bracing, like a 69 Camaro hood. It can be done, but it takes time and skill.



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