How Does One Replace the Hood Springs/Hood on '65?

[dibbons]

We painted the '65 Formula S in pieces and now is time to replace components. I have a question regarding the hood since all the hinges and springs and nuts and bolts were removed.

How does one replace those two long rods that serve as springs? I was thinking to stand on the inner fender and just step on 'em one at a time.

And isn't there a little "hat" shaped clip/fastener that goes over the metal stub that sticks out of the body to attach the lower part of the hood hinge?

Thank you.

 

[65 Dartman]

Those rods are basically torsion bars and as such be real careful removing/installing them. They can tear a hand (or feet) up pretty good. I am not familiar with the parts you reference in your last paragraph.

personally, i would swap to gas filled struts (which I did). They eliminate the hood rods and definitely clean up the engibe compartment. I showed the procedure in my resto thread

 

[Michael Brisebois]

There are two...right.

I have a 66 with the original spring setup, I can send you pics if you aren't sure of what the finished assembly looks like.

I have done these in my 66 Coronet trunk lid...not the easiest job. Something will get scratched...the paint or your hands

 

[dibbons]

I have a '65 Valiant convertible that is not disassembled so I do have a reference, except its hard to see in the corner by the upper door hinge (it's dark in there). Mainly need a trick to just get them back on somehow.

In the middle/center of the first foto (from the '65 Signet convertible) one can see what I believe is a non-threaded stubby stud that comes out directly from the body. That is where the last hole in the hinge is drilled for. I don't see any clip on that stud, which is what I remember seeing when removing the hinge when I disassembled the '65 Formula S. Not sure though.

In the second foto (from the '65 Signet convertible) there is a bracket that is welded or bolted to the firewall that supports both the tension rods. I don't remember that part on the Formula S. What I do remember seeing (faintly) were a couple of clips that held the two rods together (just wrapped around 'em-no firewall contact), one on the passenger side and the other on the driver's side. Not sure though.

 

[dibbons]

I posted on another thread today the search for the location of these parts, which I found in the same unmarked plastic bag. The washers may be what I am talking about (but I can't see them through the crack on my '65 Valiant convertible). The bolts who knows?