1960s Hood Spring replacement

[Clewisiii]

Any tips or pointers on stretching and reinstalling hood springs to hinges.

I started by hooking it to my vice and opening the vice to stretch the spring. But I will need to make some fixture to hold the spring open and be able to release it on the hinge.

Years ago I sandblasted and painted these, but after trying to work them open I see they are still rusty in the gaps. If I can fixture  them open I can sandblast again and  repaint.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

I made some internal spreaders for doing such a task.

I screwed the hinge to a piece of wood, and clamped it into position with my vice, pressed down on it to close it to expand the spring, then inserted the piece of steel between the hooks, and voila, it worked.

To stretch the bare spring, simply hang it, and with your body weight on a piece of rope to the bottom hook, insert the piece of steel.

The same can be done whilst it is in the car, but I had a spare hinge so the vice was easier.

Bruce.

[Lexi]

I used to have a link on a DIY hood spring installation tool. Will post if I can find it. Clay/Lexi

[Lexi]

Finally, I quickly found a link in quick time. Have a look. Clay/Lexi

https://www.hotrod.com/articles/wrenchin-wednesday-dont-get-your-hood-hinges-twisted-with-this-diy-spring-removal-tool/

[TJ Hopland]

That's a pretty neat trick.  Keeping it simple.

[Moody]

Hinges look great. Did you have these done, or DIY?

[Clewisiii]

Hinges look great. Did you have these done, or DIY?

I blasted them and had a local plater barrel plate them. These were to big to fit in my tanks.

[Big Fins]

Have you tried a set of Snap-On Brake Spring Pliers? These have the angle at the end of the handle to hook the spring into the pliers, then hook the tip into the hinge retainer. Lift it up and the spring snaps into place.