Help on 66 hood springs

I have the same type hood as you, and am using a wooden (sign) stake just as you are using the broomstick. My hood will stay up on it's own, seemingly forever, until I stick my head into the engine bay, then it will drop like a guillotine. If you find some springs you like, please post the source.

I've about decided to do away with the springs altogether and get a prop rod.


Z. Ray

 

Thought you might be interested in this option!!! A little pricey but the cost of a hood is well worth the investment!!
http://www.ringbrothers.com/products-page/?product_id=3

 

Pretty is as pretty does..That's how it is ..and always does!! I think I heard this in a song somewhere!!! Laf :~)

 

I have the original springs on my hood and I've had the car since 1971 and I've known about this car since I started bugging the orginal owner to sell to me in 1967. It has one "reguler" hood spring and one "light weight " Hood is a steel frame with fiberglass. has never fallen down or casued the hood to warp

 

are you saying it came that way from the Shelby factory ? do the springs have any numbers stamped on them?


Z. Ray

 

I have the same style steel frame/fiberglass on my car and have used two regular Mustang springs since I bought it in 1987, so far no problems. I've heard of the one regular and one light spring setup but never been able to confirm if it's factory or not.

 

Confirmation given. Yes, some apparently came that way from Shelby . You might try that on your car or get a set of used springs that might have a little less tension then new. I have also seen a short chain used in place of the springs to keep it up. The best of luck with your hood situation. Bob

 

I have one regular and one light spring on 6S2187 but cannot confirm if it is original as I am the fourth owner since 1983. However, I was in touch with owners 2 and 3 and the steel frame/fiberglass hood and springs were not changed by them. I do notice how the springs cause the hood to be offset when open.

 

Thanks Bob, I assume that means some also came with two regular springs? Anyway, I tried using 1 regular/1 light several years ago but the hood would only stay about half open, made it a real pain to work on the engine. Went back to using both regular springs since they weren't causing any problems.

Dave

 

#1761 has one small and one regular spring. no problems at all. not sure if it is factory orig.
ed

 

#1117 has two identical (original) springs


Z. Ray

 

The regular Ford springs were used on the steel reinforced hood as well as the all steel GT350 hoods. The all fiberglass hood used the smaller lower tension springs . Apparently by using a combination of the small and large hood spring on the steel innerstructure hood it solve a problem they had on some but not all 66 GT350 because that setup is seen from time to time on some original cars. Bob

 

I believe there was a TSB issued regarding this issue back in the day. As I recall (which isn't always easy at my age), it involved using a chain at the driver's side hinge that locked the hinge from moving. It further seems to me that this TSB was listed in the 1997 Registry. Like I said though, my memory sometimes fails me or plays tricks on me. I own 2210, am the second owner and have personal knowledge of this car from day 1. When purchased new by the original owner, this chain that I refer to was in fact installed on the car. Hope this helps.. and doesn't add to confusion, life has plenty of that already...

 

I've seen some track guys use a calbel the've made that's just long enough to loop over the hinge with its open, hold the hood in place, no prop rod, no warped hoods!

 

Cables or chains are a great little alternative to prop rods. Just for safety sake when your hood is open for shows and you use either of the options of prop rod cables or chains .. they only help hold the hood open. Should you experience any high winds ...that can overextend the hood opening and still cause a bit of damage. Yeah I speak from experience. Just a warning. Thought I'd mention it before someone made the same oversight I did..

 

My car 5S275 has the prop rod and once the wind caught
the hood and the prop rod fell down chipping the paint on the endge of the
driver side fender. After this incident I use a long bungee cord on the
passenger side to hold the hood down.
Texas Swede