On my "new"49 I am missing both hood springs--anyone know what will work? I am not going for original unless that is the only option--thank you
For original springs try the following: Dennis Akerman or John Gately, both of whom are in the CLC directory in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, respectively. If they don't have them, try Arizona Vintage Parts or Hidden Valley Auto Parts or Desert Valley Auto Parts, all 3 in AZ.
Make sure, if you go original on the setup (not necessarily original parts), that it is a twin spring on each side with a bar between that they hook onto. It takes a lot to get them on, so be ready for that. Once you do, you will find that it makes a big difference where you place them on the hood. If the pivot point is off, the hood either won't stay opened or it will only open part of the way.
I used Cadillac King junkyard in Arizona for my parts. We had to manufacture the separator bar.
As Jaxops wrote the springs are very powerful and not easy to install. If and when you get original springs I have 4 different write-ups by '49 owners describing how they installed them. Each one a bit different. Email me at jaysfriedman(at)yahoo.com.
When they put the hood springs in, they attached a cable to an engine block and my two Filipino mechanics stood on it with the car on a lift, to get them on. Crude but it did work. Not the recommended method! Use Jay's advise on this one!