1969 Cowl Hood Spring

[Iowa Jon]

Great!   

[Dave69x33]

Just tested the clean original 3877203 hood springs I purchased on eBay. Unfortunately the spring tension is very weak and they do not hold the hood up. My hood is the original cowl hood so the 203 spring is the correct spring.  Just like my original hood springs, they allow the hood to fall and slam shut.

I reinstalled the OER reproduction springs for now as they will hood the hood open but as soon as you begin to pull the hood down, I must hang onto the hood or it will slam shut. My only other option is find a better quality repro set of springs.  I use the springs from Jegs that Iowa Jon used.

I guess we cannot trust a used set of springs.

[Dave69x33]

Iowa Jon,  just discovered Jegs offers OER item #3907627 hood springs listed for 1967-69 cowl hood. I believe the OER springs I purchased from Heartbeat City Camaro are the same springs, but my OER spring tension is not as strong as what you described.

[Iowa Jon]

Hi Dave,  let me walk through this issue.  I did order springs from Heartbeat City.  Item #3907627.  See pictures below of wrong mislabled spring from OER/ Heartbeat City.  These OER springs were the correct number of turns but only 7-1/4 long.  I told Heartbeat and they said they would look into the issue. A week went by and no communication.  So I called them and they said that 7 -1/4 was the correct length for 1969 Camaro standard and cowl hood springs.  I disagreed and told them I had spoke to OER myself and gave them the gentleman's name. I explained that the man I spoke with at OER  confirmed that the springs where labeled wrong from OER. These same mislabeled springs were also sent to Classic industries. They confirmed with Classic Industries the batch of springs they received were also mislabeled.  So the item number #3907627 are not for a 69 Camaro with standard or cowl hood.  Heartbeat was not interested and they refunded my money. So OER said "call JEGS this is the correct part number (GM 3877203) JEGS # 78592.  Jegs went and measured the springs for me. 

Heartbeat does not list the 3877203 spring.  Jegs is selling the correct 203 spring and Heartbeat is selling 627  as the correct spring.  I can tell you the 203 spring from Jegs is not falling down.  Look up the JEGS number #78592.  Keep me posted. 

correct spring although as i stated in another post it is off a little in length.
https://www.jegs.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/SearchResultsPageCmd?q=3877203&storeId=10001&catalogId=10002&langId=-1

[169INDY]

Wow, Thank you for your efforts and sharing.

R.E.M. is a Manufacture of restoration parts and Is ALSO not interested in Feedback,  I understand your frustration.

Keep at em Boys!

Jim

[Iowa Jon]

7 1/2 not 7 1/4 wrong regardless. 

[Dave69x33]

Thanks!  I check out the Jegs springs.

[KurtS]

Just like my original hood springs, they allow the hood to fall and slam shut.

My car still has the factory hood springs with the original cowl hood. No issues.
I think your hinges may be worn out....

[Dave69x33]

Kurt,  I checked the rivet pivot points for wear a did not find any loose joints.  Checked the spring attachment slots and they has some wear but still look good.

[Sauron327]

I'm going to assume the hinges were checked for any play with the springs removed. At one point I had a dozen in stock and all had some play to varying degrees at some or all pivot points. Now down to a couple pair as backup.

[Dave69x33]

Sauron327,

Good point. I will remove the springs and recheck the rivet points for sloppy joints.  Thx!

[Dave69x33]

All,

I received the Jegs #78592 hood springs today. They work great and keep the hood up even when I close the hood nearly halfway. The hood stays put and does not slam shut. Thanks for the tip about Jegs hood springs!

I did not get a picture of the Jegs springs side-by-side next my original springs but they look nearly identical.

The only issue for me is they are painted a nice satin black. To be technically correct the springs should be gray phosphate plated. I have it on my winter project list to have a local plating shop strip the paint and plate them. Just glad I finally solved the “hood will not stay up” issue.

BTW…learned a great way to remove/install hood springs. Cut a fan belt in half and loop it thru the hook end of the spring. Protect your fender with a fender cover. Brace your body against the fender and pull the spring hook off the hood hinge. It’s easy and quick!

[Dave69x33]

When I installed the new Jegs hood springs, they were considerably stronger (higher tension) than my originals and the repro OER springs I purchased last year from Heartbeat City Camaro.

[Dave69x33]

Update...My hood droops closed on its own....again!

The new Jegs hood springs worked at first to keep my hood open but now the hood closes on its own just as it did with my original hood springs.  For now, I re-installed the SS hood spring to keep the hood open. Even with the SS hood springs, the hood tend to droop down about 4 - 5 inches.

I need to focus on the hinges because they must have too much wear in the rivet pivot joints.  I plan to prop open the hood, remove the spring, and unbolt the hinge from the hood (one hinge at a time) to get a closer look for loose rivet joints.

I assume my hinges are warn out and will consult with Willie Wilson at Hood Hinge Repair.  Based on reviews they do good work, but I prefer they not paint the hinges so that I can have them re-plated in gray phosphate as original. 

I will keep you posted!

[Sauron327]

I speak with Willie semi-often about jobs, cores, rebuilds and work in general. Lost track of how many he's done for me. As of this week he had shoulder surgery and is backed up. Good luck finding someone to do it ASAP.  Those doing it do not need the work so you'll have to be patient. Willie offers rebuilt functional hood hinges and an option with correct looking rivets. He just sent me rebuilt 67 door hinges for my car because someone backed out. Willie's 67 rebuilt door hinge detent roller rebuilds use superior custom machined bronze bushed parts. The 67 kits from repro houses use hardware store generic small diameter allen head, threaded and shouldered roller detent bolts. I've seen them snap. Why wouldn't they under that pressure? Willie presses the correct roller rivets in.