Does a 57' Hawk have one or two hinge springs per side. I only have one per side and the hood weighs so much I can barely lift it.
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There are two. One goes down into the fender and the other runs forward toward the headlight. They don't really help lift the hood; they keep the hinge folding in the prop\per direction.
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Note that under Rick's (bensherb) added "Anti-rattle" Blue Cover of course is the Forward pulling weaker of the two types of Spring.
Part Number 308907P.
However on C or K Bodies, it STILL requires you to PULL hard, Forward, on the Hood while lifting it to avoid the dreaded "Hood Corner Bending" curse.
StudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967Comment
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Interesting. I've never noticed one with that spring on the cross bar. All of the C/K's my dad and I have owned have had that spring in the small hole on the outboard hinge leg. It would be redundant on the inboard leg as it already has the large vertical spring on it pulling in the opposite direction. The two springs would be working against one another. Perhaps that is why we have never needed to "pull hard, forward" on the hood, or pull at all, to open it. Don't really need to push it to close it either, it just slides back and drops down. -
My GT is also like Rick's, the lateral spring hooks into a hole.
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Interesting, all of mine and the ones I have seen are on the Stabilizer/Torsion Rod.
I guess we need to find a Factory Photo of under the Hood to see where it actually does go.StudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967Comment
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Two per side, one upper, one lower. Hope the pics help. You might try slightly stronger upper springs attached as indicated to assist a little with the lift. I found these springs at my local hardware store. Works for me.
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OK, well, I tried mine on the tie rod the other day and it hit something and wouldn't let the hood close. I'll have to take a closer look. With the hood up the spring will barely stay there. It's about 1/4" too long ( no, it's not stretched ). The added bend in the tie rod ,as shown in the book, photo would solve a lot though. Given there's no actual mounting provision on the tie rod or that hinge leg for it, it appears as if that spring was an afterthought or stopgap, but I can't imagine that because there is a stamped in provision for the other end of it in the inner fender.
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I suspect that the photo in the service manual is exaggerated for illustration purposes to show that the spring does go on the tie rod.. It does look awkward at best in the photo but if you slide the spring over to the hinge it settles in the V where the rod bends to meet the hinge. It is quite secure there and does not move. It also creates a nice strait line from the inner fender attachment to the hinge. (second picture in above post).
As for the spring length, I don't know as those springs were missing on my car when I got it. As mentioned, I purchased new springs that were pre-bent on the inner fender side and strait on the hinge side. This allowed me to custom "bend to fit" that end of the spring. It's all part of the adventure. Take care and have fun with your car!
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Thanks Mike for the great Pictures, and the Shop Manual Photo, that helps us understand the concept of these Springs.
You need to show up here more often, to share what you know like many of us try to do.
Everyone has had different experiences with different vehicles, so it all adds to our learning curve for exactly that reason!
StudeRich
Second Generation Stude Driver,
Proud '54 Starliner Owner
SDC Member Since 1967Comment
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I looked into having a "modern" style gas assisted hinge designed and built which would be a direct swap for C+K studebaker's,
the retail cost would have been around $750 a pair. This is an average price for this style of hinge used by other car manufacturers of this period. The cost projection....if I recall correctly, would have been based on 500 units at a minimum.
I believe it was at this point I began doing curls and bench presses to beef up the shoulders and biceps to achieve the same result....I then decided to just not open the hood as often.
Problem solved
Bill Foy
1000 Islands, Ontario
1953 Starlight CoupeComment
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I haven't seen a spring placed on the bar like that. Unless that was for servicing the hinge.Comment
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I am curious to know if the outer hinges with the pin hole where used on other models where it may have had some purpose, trucks maybe? I see a lot of people putting the hood springs in that hole as it seems intuitive but if you stand back and look at it and consider the function, it can't be right. Then again, I don't know what the engineers and/or accountants were thinking when they came up with this design.
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The shop manual photo is of a sedan; may not be a good reference for a Hawk.Originally posted by Hawk GT SS View PostComment
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Maybe not, don't know for sure. I can tell you that the picture came out of the 62-64 Studebaker passenger car shop manual and it states "for all models". I can also say that it would not be the first time something in that manual was not quite right (if it IS not quite right).
From an engineering perspective (or maybe a reverse engineering perspective) the tie rod connection is the only one that makes any sense. It seems geometrically sound and it's function seems to be to assist in the "pull forward" aspect of the hawk's hood opening procedure and also to help keep the back of the hood tight against the body when the hood is closed. Just my take.
Bottom line: At this stage of the game (60+years) the owner will ultimately decide which way is right for him/her. One thing we know for sure, that hood is HEAVY! Ha! Ha!
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I had recent surgery and was restricted from using my left arm for more than 10lbs for 6 weeks. So I took the grill off the hood. It weighs 12lbs! It was 41lbs to lift the hood, now it is 29, huge difference. I am now working on my own lightweight weight grill. I will post in the next few days about my progress.
Here is an exerpt from my previous post about how much lighter it is without the grill... in case you missed it:
"Are we allowed to use cuss words here?! This thing is FotherMuckin' heavy!!! After removing it, I have 2 more inches of front suspension travel. I have a hard time seeing over the hood when driving. My car is now has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. I took it to the drag strip and my E.T. dropped by two calendar days. I got a 14mpg gas mileage improvement. I set it in the corner of my shop, the concrete settled and now the roof leaks. The hood springs are now able to support the hood... and with a few chains attached, I can use it as an engine hoist."Comment
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