[hot 66]

Hello everyone I just bought a fiberglass hood for my hot 66 mustang, and I was wondering if I can install the hood with the original hinge? I just looked at the fiberglass hinge in some website, and I was like can't believe it $650 .are they made it of gold or something?

So guys what i should do to install the hood ?

[tripleblack]

Some hoods are reinforced to allow use of the original hinges - and some aren't. Often the higher quality hoods will allow the use of the original hinges (which is one reason they cost more).

Those OE springs are designed to lift a very heavy steel hood, and they can damage a fiberglass hood.

Some folks just go with a "lift off" design, using 4 posts, 2 at the front in the normal locations (and even if you ultimately get hinges to work, I would recommend these), and 2 at the back.

Of course, this will be a pain and require 2 people to open the hood.

I suspect you can find cheaper hinges, though.

[Calponycarsmike]

Shelby compeition cars used the stock hood hinges without springs and they mounted a prop-rod. There is also a company I think that makes a lighter duty spring for fiberglass hoods.

[cindys_sn95]

yea, just take the springs off the factory hinges and make a prop rod. i used a old s-10 prop rod and bracket, looked factory!

[kens67mustang]

Do NOT use factory hinges........you'll crack or break the fiberglass! they sell special springs for the hood hinges

[kens67mustang]

Shelby used very light weight springs.

[hot 66]

thanks all for that info

i might go with the Shelby springs or with using 4 posts &_&

that's great ideas guys thank you all for answer

[jbarela]

Please understand that the hood hinges for regular mustangs and shelby converted mustangs are the same ford part..the only difference is the spring used..if you use a factory installed fat spring it will cause your hood to bow a bit and end up cracking..you will need to get aftermarket light springs made to use with a fiberglass hood...just pull off the original springs and use a hood prop as suggested or invest in the light thin springs and you will be fine..

[andrewmp6]

Mine i just took the springs off and use a broom stick for a prop rod lol.

[BigSecz]

National Parts Depot sells spring hinges that look like factory but made for fiberglass hoods.

[hot 66]

i just took the springs off and every thing work right now

thanks

[Shnate]

A friend of mine has a fiberglass hood on his 65 fastback. It's a showcar and he does just fine without springs. Try using a very light weight piece of chain to put in place of the hinges when the hood is open. That way you don't have to use a prop rod

[kens67mustang]

they make springs that work with origional Hinges,like those used by Shelby. they are a light duty spring.I bought a set& so far no cracking,at all,and it's a an all fibergalls cowl hood.

[jspagna1]

Are you talking about hood hinges or springs. The hood hinges I think you are talking about:
Mustangs Plus*::*Sheet Metal*::*Hood Hinges & Springs*::*1965-66 Billet Aluminum Hood Hinges, Fiberglass Hood

I would love to buy those for my car too, but no way am I spending $650 for hood hinges.

If you are talking about the springs alone, yes you can use the original hood hinges from the car but do not use springs at all. I got the light weight springs for my hood, but when I ordered my fiberglass trunk from Maier Racing the owner told me that if I had a fiberglass hood, not to use any springs at all and to use a prop rod because no matter what over time the springs would bow the hood. So I run no springs at all.

[Calponycarsmike]

Originally Posted by kens67mustang

Shelby used very light weight springs.

Early 1965 Shelby's used a hindged hood prop rod, with stock hinge with the spring removed. Late 65 Shelby's had the steel underhood supports under the fiberglass skin, and those very late 65 Shelbys recieved light weight springs.

1966 Shelby used a light weight spring on his all fiberglass hoods, however, on GT350H models and some late 66 Shelby's they used stock hood springs due to the all metal GT350 hood used on them.