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View Full Version : 66 a-body hood hinges binding


gearheads78
05-13-2009, 10:39 PM
I can't figure out whats going on. Dealing with 66 Cutlass the if I rotate the hinges forward the hood will shut ok buit sticks up in the back. If I rotate them back I can get it to come down in the back like it needs to but about an inch before the hood shuts there is a lot of resistance. If I watch through a headlight hole the hinges are just stopping and the body and hood are flexing as the hood comes down the last inch or so. The wheel wells are not even in yet so once they are bolted up the fenders won't be flexing any more so all the stress will be on the hood. Anyone ever ran into this? I'm stumped.

ProTouring442
05-14-2009, 03:53 AM
Try it with your inner fender wells first. The hinges may just be exerting too much pressure and causing the fenders to flex. Also, have you lubed the hinges?

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

gearheads78
05-14-2009, 09:04 AM
Figured it out this morning. It was late last night and my brain had shut down. I pulled the hinges back off and could make them seat all the way but they got tight at the end. I had already lubed them before installing but I did not work them in. I lubed the crap of them this time and and worked them about 50 times. The lithium grease started turning a nasty brown all aroud the pivot points. My guess is when I had them cad plated some of the chemical stayed in the joints and rusted up a little. I sprayed all the grease and brown gook out with carb cleaner relubed and reworked. Now the hood shuts better than any old car I have ever owned.

ProTouring442
05-14-2009, 06:03 PM
Figured it out this morning. It was late last night and my brain had shut down. I pulled the hinges back off and could make them seat all the way but they got tight at the end. I had already lubed them before installing but I did not work them in. I lubed the crap of them this time and and worked them about 50 times. The lithium grease started turning a nasty brown all aroud the pivot points. My guess is when I had them cad plated some of the chemical stayed in the joints and rusted up a little. I sprayed all the grease and brown gook out with carb cleaner relubed and reworked. Now the hood shuts better than any old car I have ever owned.
Cool... glad it worked out!

On the other hand, I've been re-siding my house. Now doesn't that sound like fun! :rolleyes:

Shiny Side Up!
Bill

gearheads78
05-14-2009, 08:09 PM
Cool... glad it worked out!

On the other hand, I've been re-siding my house. Now doesn't that sound like fun! :rolleyes:

Shiny Side Up!
Bill


nah not really..I'll let you handle that.:D