Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

I'm sure if you haven't had it happen to your own square you've at least seen another square with the same problem- a kinked hood. It's a common problem. I was just wondering how you guys fix it.

I've managed to straighten mine out without detaching the hood, and making sure the springs are well greased afterwards- it will do wonders for the hood. But it'll still need straightening after time.

The only alternative I've found other than buying a new one or fixing the one you have is a hood brace kit from LMC, for a cheap $20.
http://www.lmctruck.com/features/cc/images/CCHBK.gif

Has anyone used the kit or have any advice pertaining to this topic? Please help me and many other square owners who have bows for a hood.

Check out the kit here:http://www.lmctruck.com/features/cc/cchbk.htm

Re: Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

There's some other threads on here that goes into it a bit.

Re: Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

The hood kinking is actually a safety feature GM designed into the 73-80 trucks.

I usually just spot weld a couple of pieces of flat strap on the bottom side of the hood over the kink points. Its a whole lot cheaper than buying a kit.

Re: Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

I have it on my 78 and it stopped the kinking.

Re: Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

I prevented the hood crunch on my 76 by keeping the hinges and big springs lubed - there is a lot of exposed steel there to get rusty even in the desert.

Re: Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

I've added plug weld on the sides and steel underneath as well. However keeping it well lubed and when closing, pushing back, then down is a must

Re: Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

I put those LMC braces on my "77 so that the hood wouldn't kink. I wrenched in a Chevy dealership in the 70's those hoods would fold when they were new. $20 cheep and easy fix/insurance.

Re: Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

dumg question but what did you use ,I used some spray but I think it made it worse

Re: Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

I think the owners manual says to use regular motor oil on the hinges. I'm surprised I don't ever see this. I have had about 5 squares over the last 30 years and never kinked a hood. My current truck hood was a little stiff last week and I oiled it. I have kinked a couple of my cutlass hoods years ago and I am sensitive to stiff hinges now.

Re: Kinked and Bowed Hood
 

I use Wurth HHS 2000 and spray the whole spring and hinge down.