firebird hood pin install directions and pics - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

Justin 87 GTA · 09-08-2009, 03:14 PM

anyone have detailed instructions of how to properly install hood pins on a 87 gta or firebird? i searched it and had trouble finding any articles. please post them if u have them.

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1ATony · 09-08-2009, 03:54 PM

HI,

I know that on most vehicles you take the front hood stops out and replace them with the pin posts.

Make sure the hood is lined up first,install the posts,and put something on the post tops like a little grease or chalk.

Gently close the hood down on the pins and the grease or chalk will leave a mark on the underside on the hood.

I used one of those cone type drill bits I bought at Home Depot,to make the holes in the hood where the pins poke through.

Hope this helps to answer some questions.

T

Stephen · 09-08-2009, 04:06 PM

That is sorta how I did my wife's 90 RS years ago, BUT....

Just make sure you lay a layer of tape in top, to prevent any possible chipping, as the bit "pops" through. I used a small drill bit to get the initial hole. Closed the hood down onto the pin, to check alignment with the pin.

Then I stepped up in drill bit size going DOWN, from the outside.

Justin 87 GTA · 09-08-2009, 05:26 PM

oh, ok great. thanks for the info. anone have pics so i can see how it looks on a trans am or firebird? where do the steel cables go? under the headlight?? thanks

//<86TA>\\ · 09-08-2009, 06:09 PM

dont get ones with the cables, they beat the hell out of the paint

i put them in place of the factory hood bumpers.
Put the pins in, place a dab of grease or RTV or something sticky and colored on the top of the pin and close the hood so it touched the pin.

Oped the hood, see where the grease, ect, is. Drill a small hole, something like 1/8", slowly through from the underside as straight as possible.

Close the hood again, look from the top, make sure everything is lining up. Drill the holes a little larger, and tape the painted side this time to prevent chipping.

Check and repeat, dont be afraid to drill the underside hole a bit larger, you wont see it, and make the hole in the hood just a little sloppy so you can position the finish plate properly so it doesnt squeak.

HCR13 · 09-09-2009, 12:27 AM

Here is a pic of my Trans Am with hood pins, sorry its so unclear and far away, its the only recent pic I have. My method was to locate where on the support under the hood to place the pins. There is a spot to the outer edges right before the fender bolts that is a perfect for hood pins. What I did is tape one small horizontal line and then one small veritcal line and the intersection is where I was to drill. So I closed the hood and then aligned a new set of tape based on the same angle the other two were (I left enough tape hanging to tell the direction) then just drilled from the top like the others mentioned... If you need a diagram I can provide one from paint...Like previously mentioned, don't get the wires, you don't need them and they'll only scratch the paint... My pins are black and the torrison clips are a copper/goldish color so it matches the car...

Justin 87 GTA · 09-09-2009, 10:39 AM

very nice cars guys. thank you for the pics and instructions. what brand pins did u use, i really want the cables, but i guess i shouldn't. anyone use the cables with good results and pics? thanks

HCR13 · 09-09-2009, 04:47 PM

cables only look good with cars with high grilles (ex.muscle cars) When I first got the hood pins, I had the little cables but it doesn't look right at all... It actually looks like a loose wire sticking out the side of the hood than it does "performance"