Hood Prop

[Haps93]

Recently broke my prop on '78 and was wondering if anyone has ever attempted to use some kind of strut system on the hood.

OR


Any idea whereabouts I can purchase a prop. I can't seem to find with any of the vendors.

Cheers,

Chris

78 124 Spider

[narfire]

Check in the parts for sale, perhaps someone has a clapped out hood (rust) and the strut is salvagable.
When I goto the coast,I pass a rusting 73 that might have what you need for example but not going that way for awhile.
Chris

[grittracing]

i have a stock spider hood prop for the center. if you can find anything else. $10 plus shipping. coming from Detroit

[baltobernie]

The early cars really have it tough with only one hairclip on the driver's side. Lots of warped hoods, and there's the constant danger of one slamming shut during a car show, etc.

I used a pair of gas struts from McMaster-Carr on both the hood and trunk lids. (Early cars have a prop for the trunk, too). I welded the flange to the hood, but I've seen others that have bolted theirs.

[Haps93]

Thanks Baltobernie,

That's what I'm thinking of. I like the struts idea.

In fact my "hair clip" prop must have became bent from having hood open and the bend was pushing the end of the prop up into the hood when closed. I only noticed when I started to see a raised bump in the hood.


Cheers,

haps93 (Chris)


78 Fiat Spider

[Zippy]

I was helping my son work on his house one day and he need another bag of mortar for his tile floor. It was a beautiful day so we took my car. It was a wholesale outlet we went to so after we placed the order they bring it out on a cart. The warehouseman put it in the trunk (boot) then reached up to shut the trunk lid. Fortunately he was on the prop side of the car and I was able to stop him before he did any damage.

[katinc]

baltobernie do you still have the dimensions of the strut? and how many pounds push was it?
Thanks

[baltobernie]

McMaster-Carr part numbers. Quantities shown are for complete installation.

(2) 9416K17, 20#
(4) 9416K86
(2) 9512K95
(2) 9512K92

[architect]

Does anyone else have pictures of gas struts for the front hood?

[spider2081]

I used a pair of gas struts from McMaster-Carr on both the hood and trunk lids.

I really like your set up. I tried something similar on my 81 FI. I could not figure a way to get the right side gas strut to clear the FI air filter box. I probably gave up too easily.

[architect]

Just ordered some 14” - 25lbs struts from Amazon.

I will post my finding next week! I just installed a new 79 hood on my 78.. and the stock hood support hits my alumn radiator.

[Justice777]

Great idea guys. Glad I came across this post.

[architect]

Alright - just finished my install. It was a super easy. It literally took 1/2 an hour. All you need is a drill, stainless sheet metal screws, a few washers.

Keep in mind - I have a 78 with a brand new 79 hood. You have to remove the stock prop to make this work.

I went with 24lbs but your could easily go 30-40. It worked just right, I can lift open or close the hood with 1 finger.

I used these parts from Amazon:
(2) 10MM Ball Stud Bracket (2 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004713BR2?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
(1) 24 LB Gas Strut (set of 2) C16-06389 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018C85VK/re ... OkpbnQlmos


If you mount the bracket right at the inner fender metal seem, it will be perfect for clearance.

See pics - paint job on the way!


















Cheers!

[spidernut]

Looks great. I'm assuming that since you said it can open and close with one finger, that a strong gust of wind would cause it to shut (at least somewhat). Is that correct? If so, would you have gone with the 30 lb or 40 lb ones instead if you were to do it over?

[architect]

Looks great. I'm assuming that since you said it can open and close with one finger, that a strong gust of wind would cause it to shut (at least somewhat). Is that correct? If so, would you have gone with the 30 lb or 40 lb ones instead if you were to do it over?

Well yes and no..

I believe since the strut is so close to the hinge point.. it kinda locks it in place. So while in the 90 degree position, it takes some force to tilt the hood down to 75 degrees, then pulling the hood closed to a 0 degree is a one finger effort. A little hard to explain. When the strut “max” out of its extension, it locks into place.

Let’s just say I won’t rely on it slamming shut. You might want to go 30+ range.