1960s 60 CDV Hood Hinge Replacement

[Michael Petti]

The driver's side hood hinge on my car has broken with the hood stuck 1/2 way up and cocked to the left so It will take the paint off the inner edge of the fender if I move it. I Have a used hinge coming from E-bay. Do I need to remove the hood to replace the hinge or can it be done with enough people holding the hood while I replace it? A body person recommended removing it and then aligning it upon replacement. Second question is how many people do I need to remove it? It looks heavy. My guess is at least 100 pounds. I have seen videos with 6 people (3 on each side) and a 7th undoing the bolts. Any thoughts on this will be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Moody]

I would remove the hood first. It can be done with the hood on, but if any bolts are an issue, then you're stuck holding it. It probably weighs 60-70 lbs, but it's very gangly. Three people should be enough, any more and trouble could arise IMO. Pad the cowl area before removing it, just in case.

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

If you have any overhead points that you can use to suspend the hood via ropes, then that is the way I would go.

Whenever I remove a hood, I hang it from the ceiling in my Garage.   This way, I can do it on my own.

Bruce.

[Michael Petti]

Thankyou for the quick responses. I have no way to suspend it from above. I agree it's the best way, but it's parked outside and the hood is stuck in the up position and can not get it into my garage. I am able to get 4 or 5 people to help remove it and I think that is how I will have to go.

[Lexi]

What an awful situation to be in. Just hope you don't have to do this work with a lot of wind in the forecast. To avoid being "stuck" holding it if things go south, maybe these ideas can help:

If you have an engine hoist, perhaps fully extended and raised as high as it will go, you could attach some ratchet straps to assist stabilizing the front portion while taking some of the load off of your helpers? Maybe let some of the air out of your front tires to lower the car a bit if need be. Perhaps a rental place could supply a pair of painter's scaffolding, with a view to lashing the hood to either side to better secure it while being worked on. Those units are usually yellow tubular steel in construction and about 6 feet or so high. A 2 x 4 could be spread across them with your hood resting on them. Some A frame step ladders may also be pressed into this purpose, extended to the right elevation. "Jaws Ladders" consist of a pair of nesting ladders-one insde the other and I recall that they could also be used as scaffolding in a pinch.

Just trying to think out of the box for you. Wish I was there to help. Let us know how it goes. This one is going to keep me up at night. Clay/Lexi

[Michael Petti]

Got new hinge yesterday. Rusty so wire wheeled it and painted with Rustoleum rusty metal primer and black paint. Hope wire wheel was right thing to use. Im getting tempted to try the swap myself. Is that wise or should I have a shop do it and the alignment? It looks easy enough but I suspect there are difficulties I not aware of. Any thoughts on this?

[Lexi]

Got new hinge yesterday. Rusty so wire wheeled it and painted with Rustoleum rusty metal primer and black paint. Hope wire wheel was right thing to use. Im getting tempted to try the swap myself. Is that wise or should I have a shop do it and the alignment? It looks easy enough but I suspect there are difficulties I not aware of. Any thoughts on this?

I was looking for a hood hinge spring removal/installation tool video that I had posted a while back that I think would greatly assist you, but can't find it. Let's face it, the search engine for this Forum sucks. Will continue to have a look for you. It was a simple home made DIY tool that makes for a much safer and easier way to work on your hinge. My search continues... Clay/Lexi

[Lexi]

Found it on the net right away. Make sure to turn on the sound. Lots of photos to look at as well. Hope this helps. Clay/Lexi

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

[Michael Petti]

Thanks for the video. My issue is not the spring, the issue is I need to replace the actual hinge as one of the peened in pivot pins came out and the hinge has collapsed. I can get to every bolt on the hinge, but the back one that is under the fender will not come out because it hits the fender on the way up. Is there some trick to this? Do I need to loosen the large screw in the door jam to allow the fender to move and allow the bolt to be removed? I was going to attempt this myself with a little help however this has me stumped. I going to interview some body shops to see what they say.

[59-in-pieces]

Mike,

Now you have me stumped to understand your problem, and I'm always up for a mystery.

Do you have a picture of what is going on that wont allow the bolts to come out because one wont clear something.

I've taken off my share of hinges from nicely painted cars and engine bays (dainty removals) along with parts car Junckers (caveman style), but I don't recall the kind of issue you describe.

Have fun.
Steve B.

[Lexi]

I as well am having trouble visualizing this hinge project. I did realize that while the springs were not the problem, I thought that during your repair work you may need to remove and re-install them as a peripheral job, hence my video post of that DIY spring tool. That may ease some of your "pain". But that said, like Steve I think I gotta see a picture of the hinge issue. Clay/Lexi

[Michael Petti]

Thanks to your article I did get the spring off. The hinge came back into shape enough that I can now close the hood and the car is drivable. I think the answer to the bolt that is the furthest back on the top flange of the hinge is to cut the head off, remove it and replace it with a shorter one. There is 1 1/8 inches clearance to work with. On Monday I will take it to a shop to finish this as it will take equipment or multiple people to support the hood while the hinge is replaced with the one I bought on E-Bay. The hood is heavy and can not get pictures now. I'll post as to how this goes. I would not have known the spring was that easy to get off. 

[Michael Petti]

The job is done. Unless you can get at least 4 guys who know what they are doing or have a way of suspending the hood from the ceiling I suggest a shop. I cut the cost by breaking all the bolts myself to save time, and I put blue painter's tape along the edges of the hood and fender and the cowl to avoid paint damage. No damage at all. the hood is aligned perfectly. Thanks for all the advice, especially about getting the spring off.

[Lexi]

Woo Hoo! Great news! Glad she is fixed and without paint damage. Clay/Lexi