KrisW

iTrader: (5)

Hey all,

What are you fiberglass hood guys doing about the lift cylinders. I am searching in circles around here but not finding anything helpful.

I just bought a used twin turbo bolt on hood for my 88 Firebird, but the threads I have read are saying that the factory cylinders are too strong for the hood. So now what do I do?

I don't want to drill it for hood pins. I really don't want to mount a prop rod from a Chevy Beretta or some other front wheel driver. What about the early aluminum hoods? Did they use a light enough cylinder that is easy on fiberglass hoods? I want the hood to function like the OEM hood does.

Any and all suggestions will be appreciated!

Thanks!

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

Ok, I found these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Two-USA-Made...item5d3372c893

They seem to be the same part number listed at Advance Auto Parts and Rock Auto for an 82 Trans Am with fiberglass hood.

Did early firebirds ever have fiberglass hoods? I have never seen it...

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Early camaro's had fiberglass hoods... not sure about the pontiacs but it could be possible.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

or you could just get someone's used worn out hood struts. Post a wanted ad on the clasifieds. Surely someone has an old set laying around. I do, but i want to keep them for exactly this reason.

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

I am pretty sure that I do in fact have a set of worn out hood struts. You think they will still perform on a fiberglass hood without falling?

That's good info to know about the early Camaro hoods. I am guessing that my hood should be close enough weight to those that the hood struts I found will work.

InfernalVortex

iTrader: (4)

I would imagine the early Camaro 'glass hood struts would be better, but if you cant find them, you can use some worn out hood struts in a pinch. As to whether or not itw ill work, probably just depends on how worn out they are. It doesn't take much to hold up a 'glass hood.

KrisW

iTrader: (5)

Okay, so I finally got around to putting my fiberglass hood on the car, and I did go with the struts from one of my earlier posts. THEY WORK PERFECTLY.

I feel no stress at all being put on the hood when I raise it up and down, and its smooth and soft as well. The strut data is pictured below (installed.)

Thanks to all for the help I got.