Hood won't "pop" open - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

71sub · 04-17-2003, 04:24 PM

I'm tired of having to sqeeeeeeze my fingers between hood and grill AND push up on the hood to get it to open. What do I adjust to make this work better ?

Also, the hood sits up near the cowl and I need to press down
for it to sit right --- is this do to the hood springs ?

Mike Culpepper · 04-17-2003, 04:31 PM

I have the same problem at the cowl but only on one side. I have seen posts here referring to a "trick" for the hood/cowl alignment prob. I'm interested in hearing from the experts.
Mike

jhow66 · 04-17-2003, 04:38 PM

Try using some WD40,etc. on all pivot points.

mtdave2 · 04-17-2003, 04:48 PM

the popping up in the back are worn out hinges.. get some new ones!

for the pop up...? wd40 like johow66 said..

tom hand · 04-17-2003, 06:23 PM

Well I would say buy some new hinges. It will solve both problems. I could not believe the difference when I put them on mine. I reused the old springs and I have to hold my hand over the hood when I pull the latch to keep it from popping all the way open.

72MARIO · 04-17-2003, 06:38 PM

GM sells them.

cdowns · 04-17-2003, 06:46 PM

some penetrating oil on the hinges and clean the latch real good with wd40 then a little grease on the latch will make a BIg difference

71Blazer · 04-17-2003, 07:04 PM

What shape are the front corner hood bumpers in? With new bumpers adjusted to the right height my hood now closes with a nice "click" and pops up just 3" or so when I pull the latch.

I had the hood off and had a hell of a time getting it to close right. Spent a lot of time readjusting the position of the hinge/spring assm. where they bolt to the body. Good Luck!

71sub · 04-17-2003, 07:10 PM

THANKS for all the input.

I've cleaned the latch mechanism pretty good and it closes with a
nice click ---- but it just won't pop open when I release the latch.

I'm going to replace the hinges -- got them new this afternoon.

Any ideas on how to remove old hinges and install new ones ?

Tynee · 04-17-2003, 07:46 PM

PM Huck or search something like "Merry Christmas" He went through a good process for adjusting your hood hinges, but it's been a while back. Sometime around Christmas. I'd at leasst try that before I spent MOney on new hinges. Just a suggestion.

Project1970 · 04-17-2003, 09:04 PM

It's supposed to pop?

I've always just used one hand on the latch, and the other arm to push the hood up a bit...of course, I've got plenty of room for arms in that GMC grille...

Huck · 04-17-2003, 09:30 PM

If your hood hinge pins are worn real bad---this might not work but---
Each hinge has 5 points of attachment---two to the hood and 3 to the fenders. The 2 hood attachments allow for forward and backward adjustment of the hood against the cowl or grill. The 3 hinge to the fender provide adjustment of tension of the hinge spring.
Assuming you have the hinge to hood alignment adjustment ok, then by loosening the hinge to fender, you open the hood all the way and then push it up a bit more which forces the hinges to pivot a bit more. Then you need to tighten the hinge to fender bolts.
This is really a two person job unless you are real creative.
Even well worn hinges have been adjusted like this with great results. The only time it didn't work for me is when the hinge was so worn one of the hinge pivot pins actually fell out!!
To get your hood to pop open, the front latch needs to be just right with no bind of the hood to the grill or fenders. You adjust the latch mechanism via the hood pin four bolt mounting on the hood. Good luck---Huck

71sub · 04-21-2003, 12:16 PM

Thanks Huck ! awesome information ... I'm going to give this a try before trying on the new springs.

GMC JUNKIE TOO · 04-21-2003, 04:12 PM

how much do a new set of hinges go for?$$$

71sub · 04-21-2003, 04:16 PM

About $9 / spring from The Truck Shop in Orange, CA
www.truckandcarshop.com

Long Knight · 04-21-2003, 04:24 PM

Do the after market hinges work alright?

stllookn · 04-21-2003, 04:27 PM

New springs won't help. I have always found it is the pins...when they are sloppy and worn (both the pins and the brackets) they pull the linkage bars together like a scissor lift and lift the back of the hood. Huck is right but I have had trouble getting that method to work well for me. I have also elongated the mount holes vertically with a die grinder, then adjusted them donw as far as possible and tightened them in place.

04-17-2003, 04:24 PM	#1
71sub Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 169	Hood won't "pop" open I'm tired of having to sqeeeeeeze my fingers between hood and grill AND push up on the hood to get it to open. What do I adjust to make this work better ? Also, the hood sits up near the cowl and I need to press down for it to sit right --- is this do to the hood springs ? __________________ 71 C/10 : 350 / 700r4 ; Ford 9" posi 3.50 with 31x10.5 rear tires, single drive shaft, C-notch, 2.5" drop spindles, keyless entry 71 Suburban 350/350 -- caddy tail lights, keyless entry, late model seats, billet Autometer instrument cluster 70 Ford Torino -- 351W (balanced & blueprinted ), C4, VDO gauges

04-17-2003, 04:31 PM	#2
Mike Culpepper Red Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Llano... Texas Hill Country Posts: 448	I have the same problem at the cowl but only on one side. I have seen posts here referring to a "trick" for the hood/cowl alignment prob. I'm interested in hearing from the experts. Mike __________________ '72 Cheyenne LWB 350/350 "The sun don't shine on the same dog's ass all the time." - Catfish Hunter (commenting on why he was not able to pitch another perfect game).

04-17-2003, 04:38 PM	#3
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Try using some WD40,etc. on all pivot points. __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

04-17-2003, 04:48 PM	#4
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,526	the popping up in the back are worn out hinges.. get some new ones! for the pop up...? wd40 like johow66 said.. __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

04-17-2003, 06:23 PM	#5
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Well I would say buy some new hinges. It will solve both problems. I could not believe the difference when I put them on mine. I reused the old springs and I have to hold my hand over the hood when I pull the latch to keep it from popping all the way open. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

04-17-2003, 06:38 PM	#6
72MARIO Registered User Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Huntsville Ontario Canada Posts: 4,051	GM sells them. __________________ 1968 Suburban numbers matching all original truck now equipped with 6.0/4L80 on Accuair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=625017 1967 C/20 6.0/4L80 Roofing Truck 1990 V2500 Suburban "Plow Truck" 2005 TAHOE DD

04-17-2003, 06:46 PM	#7
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	some penetrating oil on the hinges and clean the latch real good with wd40 then a little grease on the latch will make a BIg difference __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-17-2003, 07:04 PM	#8
71Blazer Goodbye Darlin' Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Coupeville, WA USA Posts: 330	What shape are the front corner hood bumpers in? With new bumpers adjusted to the right height my hood now closes with a nice "click" and pops up just 3" or so when I pull the latch. I had the hood off and had a hell of a time getting it to close right. Spent a lot of time readjusting the position of the hinge/spring assm. where they bolt to the body. Good Luck! __________________ 1971 Blazer CST SOLD!

04-17-2003, 07:10 PM	#9
71sub Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 169	THANKS for all the input. I've cleaned the latch mechanism pretty good and it closes with a nice click ---- but it just won't pop open when I release the latch. I'm going to replace the hinges -- got them new this afternoon. Any ideas on how to remove old hinges and install new ones ? __________________ 71 C/10 : 350 / 700r4 ; Ford 9" posi 3.50 with 31x10.5 rear tires, single drive shaft, C-notch, 2.5" drop spindles, keyless entry 71 Suburban 350/350 -- caddy tail lights, keyless entry, late model seats, billet Autometer instrument cluster 70 Ford Torino -- 351W (balanced & blueprinted ), C4, VDO gauges

04-17-2003, 07:46 PM	#10
Tynee I miss this truck. Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Lexington, KY U.S.A. Posts: 2,863	PM Huck or search something like "Merry Christmas" He went through a good process for adjusting your hood hinges, but it's been a while back. Sometime around Christmas. I'd at leasst try that before I spent MOney on new hinges. Just a suggestion. __________________ '07 GMC Acadia SLT. Sweet ride. '08 Crew Cab Z-71 short bed. Really like this truck A LOT.

04-17-2003, 09:04 PM	#11
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	It's supposed to pop? I've always just used one hand on the latch, and the other arm to push the hood up a bit...of course, I've got plenty of room for arms in that GMC grille... __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

04-17-2003, 09:30 PM	#12
Huck Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Shelbyville, KY Posts: 3,261	If your hood hinge pins are worn real bad---this might not work but--- Each hinge has 5 points of attachment---two to the hood and 3 to the fenders. The 2 hood attachments allow for forward and backward adjustment of the hood against the cowl or grill. The 3 hinge to the fender provide adjustment of tension of the hinge spring. Assuming you have the hinge to hood alignment adjustment ok, then by loosening the hinge to fender, you open the hood all the way and then push it up a bit more which forces the hinges to pivot a bit more. Then you need to tighten the hinge to fender bolts. This is really a two person job unless you are real creative. Even well worn hinges have been adjusted like this with great results. The only time it didn't work for me is when the hinge was so worn one of the hinge pivot pins actually fell out!! To get your hood to pop open, the front latch needs to be just right with no bind of the hood to the grill or fenders. You adjust the latch mechanism via the hood pin four bolt mounting on the hood. Good luck---Huck

04-21-2003, 12:16 PM	#13
71sub Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 169	Thanks Huck ! awesome information ... I'm going to give this a try before trying on the new springs. __________________ 71 C/10 : 350 / 700r4 ; Ford 9" posi 3.50 with 31x10.5 rear tires, single drive shaft, C-notch, 2.5" drop spindles, keyless entry 71 Suburban 350/350 -- caddy tail lights, keyless entry, late model seats, billet Autometer instrument cluster 70 Ford Torino -- 351W (balanced & blueprinted ), C4, VDO gauges

04-21-2003, 04:12 PM	#14
GMC JUNKIE TOO THE QUICKER FIXERUPER Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ok Posts: 615	how much do a new set of hinges go for?$$$

04-21-2003, 04:16 PM	#15
71sub Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 169	About $9 / spring from The Truck Shop in Orange, CA www.truckandcarshop.com __________________ 71 C/10 : 350 / 700r4 ; Ford 9" posi 3.50 with 31x10.5 rear tires, single drive shaft, C-notch, 2.5" drop spindles, keyless entry 71 Suburban 350/350 -- caddy tail lights, keyless entry, late model seats, billet Autometer instrument cluster 70 Ford Torino -- 351W (balanced & blueprinted ), C4, VDO gauges



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04-21-2003, 04:24 PM	#16
Long Knight Spank 'em if you got 'em! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Kansas City Posts: 628	Do the after market hinges work alright? __________________ Long Knight '71 C-20, 350ci, TH350, Edl. 1406 Carb w/elec.choke, Ignitor ignition, Viper Tires, Orange Dipstick

04-21-2003, 04:27 PM	#17
stllookn Saving 1 truck at a time! Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 6,465	New springs won't help. I have always found it is the pins...when they are sloppy and worn (both the pins and the brackets) they pull the linkage bars together like a scissor lift and lift the back of the hood. Huck is right but I have had trouble getting that method to work well for me. I have also elongated the mount holes vertically with a die grinder, then adjusted them donw as far as possible and tightened them in place. __________________ '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 400/TH400 '68 C20 Longhorn 50th Anniversary 468/TH400w/buckets '72 C20 Halfhorn (Longhorn w/o cab and front clip) '69 Flxible Cruiser (look up ugly in the dictionary)

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