One last hood hinge question

I was able to get the hood hinges off my Barracuda by prying them off with a screw driver. I tried pliers but that only made them tighter. Okay, big advice question. The hinge consists of a coiled section of flat metal that ends with a piece wrapped around a large pin. I haven't taken off the washer holding the spring off yet. If I pop off that washer, will the wound up spring suddenly unwind like a coiled up snake? The only reason I was interested in removing it was to clean the rust. Thanks in advance for the help.