1969 SS hood

[69houdini]

Well, after 9 months of educating and searching and of course with the forums help and wisdom ,I purchased a 1969 SS numbers matching butternut yellow......yes, I said butternut..... convertible X55 code camaro today. As time goes on I'll post some pics but in the meantime I will have upcoming questions starting with this......The SS louvered hood have engineered diecut holes cut out of the hood centered directly underneath each squared louver including through the hood supports. It's tooled that way, it wasn't cut out by hand. I'm under the impression that these louvers were strictly ornamental and the hood was solid underneath them. I'm still learning and would appreciate some input on this. I know the aftermarket hoods are not diecut out this way. Were all original SS hoods diecut? Let me know, Thanks!

[PURESS]

Hoods were solid, no die-cut..but I would like to see a picture as how it looks and if could be made functional?

[Jonesy]

Here is a pic of my original 69 hood. The louvers are not functional and there are channells in the hood that allow the water to drain from underneath.

[69houdini]

That's always what I've seen in, but these are perfect diecut holes. No rough edges or tweaked lines. I'll post some pics as soon as possible. Thanks for your responses. I'm sure I'll be asking more questions later.

[69houdini]

/Users/johnbateman/Desktop/2671585_7.jpg/Users/johnbateman/Desktop/2671585_11.jpg/Users/johnbateman/Desktop/2671585_46.jpg   Here are the pics. From the top view you can barely see the shading coming through the louvers. With the hood up you can clearly see the diecut holes. It is effectively getting air to the engine . Once again, these holes are not cut ragged or uneven or has any type of burred edge. Each hole is cut to the same dimension and spaced exactly on each side of the louver. This would seem to be a great idea for this hood as long as you don't have insulation.

[69houdini]

Here are the pics. From the top view you can barely see the shading coming through the louvers. With the hood up you can clearly see the diecut holes. It is effectively getting air to the engine . Once again, these holes are not cut ragged or uneven or has any type of burred edge. Each hole is cut to the same dimension and spaced exactly on each side of the louver. This would seem to be a great idea for this hood as long as you don't have insulation.

[tom]

It looks like they may allow air to exit the engine compartment. I doubt that with under hood pressure that any air is entering those holes when you are moving. Tie a piece of yarn or string to the louvers above those holes, and take a ride. It will probably blow up if it moves at all.

Tom

[KurtS]

And with a snorkel pointing off to the side, it wouldn't get any of that air even if it came in.

Nice car! Great color!

[69houdini]

Do you guys think the dealer cut these holes in order for the dealer installed  air conditioning unit to help vent out extra heat generated by the compressor? Once again, the diecut holes are perfectly cut. Does anyone out there with dealer added air have these holes cut out like this or could you special order this type of hood. I haven't taken possession of the car yet to test out the amount of air going in or out of the louvers. Should be about 5 days. The snorkel comment sounds right unless those 8 holes 2.5 approx. dia. can bring alot of air circulating around the engine compartment. Thanks for your inputs. Looking for any and all comments, suggestions and facts that I can get. 

[JohnZ]

Someone added those holes - GM never designed a hood that would allow water to drip directly on the top of the engine. Section L48, sheet B2 in the Assembly Manual shows the original configuration of the SS hood, with the drain channels and drain tubes at the front of the channels, and the solid plates and seals under the chrome louvers.

[69houdini]

So maybe the dealer that added the air had his machine shop use something like a metal holesaw to cut these real clean whenever someone added dealer installed air. This is an original AZ car no rust whatsoever, Don't rain much in AZ, I can see why he added air if he bought it off the lot. I'm going to try to track down the dealer and ask some questions. You can't get answers if you don't ask. Thanks, The more input the better.

[z-villejw]

On the lines of the SS hood, what hood springs are on the car? I'am putting a SS hood back on my 68, and I read the report on the springs being differant. With the stock springs the hood works OK. How do they work when you change the springs? I ordered a new set from GM & received them today & haven't install yet. Any input will be welcomed Thanks JW

[69houdini]

The springs on a SS hood are a bit longer than a stock flat hood because the SS hoods and cowl hoods are heavier than the stock hoods therefore needing the longer springs. You said you read the report, it's a weight and leverage issue, heavier hood equals longer springs. Use the new ones you ordered, it's correct and safe.

[Tinkerr]

I ordered a new set of GM SS hood spring to install when the car was reassembled,( it was a basket case when I purchased it, don't know how the originals were) once reassembled the hood would fall about 2" from the fully open position and hold there. It wouldn't stay in the fully open position, haven't attempted to resolve the issue I pushed it(the car) in the corner and kick it occasionally in passing. JW I'd be interested in your experience after the new springs are installed.

[z-villejw]

Thanks, I understand why you need them. Whats the best way to change them without killing your self?