Like many shelbys my 68's hood has that bow in it. A body shop guy told me that if I removed the hood springs the hood would straighten out. He suggested I put a metal hood stick to hold up the hood in lieu of the springs. anyone have any experience with this?
The hood will still stay up with the lightweight springs. I wouldn't count on the hood straightening out though.
I never close the hood completely when the car is in storage, leaving it open just a few inches will keep the pressure to bow down considerably, you can use something soft to just rest it on. What you have is not going to change, just try to keep it from getting worse. Tout
My 67 Shelby hood had some serious warpage and I changed the springs to smaller size and after some time the hood sat pretty flat. Texas Swede
My 69 hood would bow badly with the springs installed but would lay flat without them. The only time I ever but the springs back on was for a Mustang Monthly photo shot.
There is an excellent article in mustang monthly or mustangs & fords on how to straighten out warped fiberglass. I tried it on my 70 and it worked near perfect. Basically, it said to place the hood on a 2 level sawhorse's one at the latch location and one at the hinge location. put 100 lbs of weight in the exact center of the hood. Let it sit for 6 weeks. This removed a 3/4 inch warp from my hood.
my 67 GT500 had a Bow and I removed the springs and have been using a Prop rod. In 2 short weeks I was shocked at how much the Hood straightened on it's own.
Hood warpage is something that all Shelbys have in varying degrees. Warpage is a result of heat, age and springs that may be too strong. 1967 Shelbys in particular, exhibit warpage in two distinct patterns. First, the hood bows up in the middle as seen from the side; making a gap about half way down the hood. The second, is just the opposite; being bowed down in the middle with the front and rear higher. I have had both conditions on 1967 Shelbys that I have owned. Installing a new set of lightweight springs may help restore the hood back to near normal. If not, some of the previously mentioned remedies will have to be done. shlby66 1967 GT350 #1688
I have had the light weight hood springs on now for about four weeks. The hood is much less bowed. Thanks guys