Body / Glass: 54 hood problem

[studebro2]

Recently purchased a 54 Coupe. The hood has a 1620-60 hood tie rod, but does not have 1620-62 hood springs. Is the hood tie rod a replacement for the hood springs, or what is it's purpose? When opening the hood to about 4/5 the hood makes a snap sound and flexes in the center at the rear.
Appreciate any suggestions on how to correct this problem.
Thanks,
Gary McCollum

[Tom Bredehoft]

Verify that it is not catching on the cowl, ctr rear as you open it. If so. wrap a 2 X 4 a foot long in a bath towel, put it on the cowl and bring the hood down slowly, to try to flex the hood just a bit. it can be done. Remove the towel wrapped 2 X 4 before closing the hood.

[njonkman]

We were having the same problem with the rear of the hood on my 56 which we installed on Friday catching the front of the cowl. We tried raising the hood hinges and moving them forward. Then we decided to see if installing the rubber cowl seal would make any difference. It sure did. Now we need to lower the hinges again and move them back as the seal prevents the hood from dropping down in front of the cowl too far. Problem solved. The tie rod on my 56 is in addition to 4 hood springs, two going down to the hooks on the firewall below the rear arms and two from the tie rod to the inner fender where there is a place to hook them just behind the battery tray on the driver's side and the same spot on the other side. You can buy a set from SI. Even installing the rear springs already changed the way the hood acted. The seal keeps the hood up at the back flush with the cowl so it can't catch. That is also available from SI. If you do have a really old one on there it may be collapsed too thin to do any good. The tie rod acts like a stabilizer bar keeping both hinges opening evenly together of course the same applies when you put your prop under the hood which is off center and the tie rod keeps the hood from sagging on the opposite side. Yours should be the same as mine.
Nick

[Jerry Forrester]

Recently purchased a 54 Coupe. The hood has a 1620-60 hood tie rod, but does not have 1620-62 hood springs. Is the hood tie rod a replacement for the hood springs, or what is it's purpose? When opening the hood to about 4/5 the hood makes a snap sound and flexes in the center at the rear.
Appreciate any suggestions on how to correct this problem.
Thanks,
Gary McCollum

You need all 4 springs and the the rod that goes between the left and right hinges. Don't try to operate the hood more than once without them!

[StudeRich]

What Jerry said.
Also please note that the numbers you posted are merely Picture Numbers to lead you to the various Part Numbers for the same generic part in the picture that fits various Body Types, Years, Models etc.

So when ordering your missing Parts be sure to use the correct Part Numbers for your exact Model 5H '54 Commander or 15G '54 Champion, "C" Model Body Type if a Coupe.

UPDATE: This is meant to be for your General Information when looking up parts for your car not necessarily for only the hood springs.

[sals54]

I would suggest that you open the hood with a pull forward as you lift the hood. In other words: Pop the latch, release the safety catch, then pull fairly hard towards your belly button while lifting the hood slowly. This will allow the hood to clear the rear portion of the cowl while you set it in its fully raised position.
Secondly, be sure to use a secondary safety catch of some sort to ensure the hood does not "fly" open at freeway speed. Wire cable, rope, pinned from below, anchor chain welded to the frame, whatever it takes to be sure you don't lose that hood while driving. They've been known to fly open since new. The hood latch is bolted to light weight sheet metal that does not have any support to a major structural member, so it tends to flex and move when you least expect it.
Lets see some pix of this new project ! ! ! Prying eyes want to see ! ! !

[njonkman]

What Jerry said.
Also please note that the numbers you posted are merely Picture Numbers to lead you to the various Part Numbers for the same generic part in the picture that fits various Body Types, Years, Models etc.

So when ordering your missing Parts be sure to use the correct Part Numbers for your exact Model 5H '54 Commander or 15G '54 Champion, "C" Model Body Type if a Coupe.

The hood springs are the same for all models from 53-58 Part number for set of all four is 770530 $32.50 at Studebaker International.
Nick

[studebro2]

Added the correct springs, solved the problem, Thanks to all!