hood issue

[jdscofield]

the hood on my 74 charger will not sit flush.  I remember my other 74 charger doing the same thing 20 years ago.  i know this is a common thing.  However, I'm not sure if its the springs or the hood warped.  I have been told by some that its do to the springs and they need to be replaced, yet i have been told by others that due to the size of the hood, the become warped.  Can anyone verify if this issue is normally due to springs or the hoods do infact become warped.  hood does not look warped to me.  it lines up nicely at the bumper, but up towards the windshield, its raised about an inch.  even if i push down on it, it doesnt go flush.  does it on both sides.  passenger side is worse.

[green69rt]

Can you post some pics of the problem and you hinges?  Has it always done this or just recently?

[71_Charger_R/T]

Very common!  It's your hinges!  It should push down flush if you push it down by hand at the back. If it doesn't, the hinge needs adjusting. But regardless, If it needs to be pushed down, your hinges are worn.

[jdscofield]

trying to post a pic

[jdscofield]

Very common!  It's your hinges!  It should push down flush if you push it down by hand at the back. If it doesn't, the hinge needs adjusting. But regardless, If it needs to be pushed down, your hinges are worn.

So if its the hinges, will replacing the springs solve the issue, or do i have to replace the hinges as well.  i dont think they make hinges for the 74

[Back N Black]

It sounds like the hinges need to be replaced, I had the same problem on my charger. When the hood is all the way up push up on the hood and you will feel the movement in the hinges. The bolt holes in the hinges are worn.

[71_Charger_R/T]

Very common!  It's your hinges!  It should push down flush if you push it down by hand at the back. If it doesn't, the hinge needs adjusting. But regardless, If it needs to be pushed down, your hinges are worn.

So if its the hinges, will replacing the springs solve the issue, or do i have to replace the hinges as well.  i dont think they make hinges for the 74

The springs won't make any difference.  It's the pivot point on the hinge that is worn out. There is a big rivet there.  Look up "RestoRick.com" he rebuilds them.

[green69rt]

Resto rick rebuilds them.

http://www.restorick.com/products.asp?cat=2

[myk]

Resto rick rebuilds them.

http://www.restorick.com/products.asp?cat=2

I was about to say that's really pricey,  but I hear the repro's are terrible and buying used ones can't be any better than what you already have, so....

[jdscofield]

thanks guys for the info.  looks like i'll be checking out resto rick.  just another thing to add to the never ending list.  I really do appreciate all of your inputs.  always better to ask before just buying.

[ACUDANUT]

 YEAH, the springs won't fix this.  This is a bigger problem on 71-74 Chargers.  Why ?  Don't know.   

[green69rt]

YEAH, the springs won't fix this.  This is a bigger problem on 71-74 Chargers.  Why ?  Don't know.   

I suspect the problem, for all of us, is that LONG, heavy Charger hood.

[Dino]

Yeah that's a hell of a lot of weight for those hinge rivets to take. It's a very common issue. Rebuilding is pretty much the only way to go.

[myk]

Could always go with a lift-off hood?

[ACUDANUT]

Yeah that's a hell of a lot of weight for those hinge rivets to take. It's a very common issue. Rebuilding is pretty much the only way to go.

On 71-74 anything. there is a problem.

How do you do this ?  
Chevy, ford hoods were long and heavy too.
Sorry, but what rivets are you talking about.  

[green69rt]

Yeah that's a hell of a lot of weight for those hinge rivets to take. It's a very common issue. Rebuilding is pretty much the only way to go.

On 71-74 anything. there is a problem.

How do you do this ?  
Chevy, ford hoods were long and heavy too.
Sorry, but what rivets are you talking about.  

In the picture below, there is a strap that goes between the two pivot points of the hinge.  The pins that go thru the pivot points are what are being referenced.
Kind of a crappy pic, sorry.

[myk]

Since we're talking about hoods and hinges, how does one go about safely removing the hinges and the hood?  I've done this on my 99 Firebird but I think the weight of the Charger's hood makes this different.  Can I support the hood (somehow)?  Then remove the hinges?  I only need to remove and possibly replace one hinge.  I don't have an extra set of hands for this either...

[Brock Lee]

Get an extra set of hands. Even if it is your wife/girlfriend or your mom..whatever. These hoods are more similar to the hatch on the Firebird in weight and bulk.  If both hinges have to go, unbolt the hinges from the car and walk the hood with hinges to a safe covered spot and lay it down face first. Then remove and replace the hinges. Keep in mind they will still need final adjustment once in the body.

[440]

A friend definitely helps and lowers the risk of damaging anything. I normally put a towel in each corner of the cowl and one across the hood latch so the hood wont latch if lowered  (I only made that mistake once)

If you have a friend you can easily both undo one side each and lift off.

If you work alone grab plenty of towels and use a 2x4 to hold the hood up while you undo the hood bolts. Undo one corner and gently rest it in the corner of the cowl. Go around to the other side and undo it. Make sure you have a towel covering the latch, remove 2x4 and lower hood. Take a deep breath and heave that baby off.


I had my wife try to help..... it was easier just to do it myself

[myk]

Thanks for the tips, guys.  Yeah that Firebird hatch is probably the heaviest part of the car.  I'll start formulating a plan to get that hinge out of the Charger.  I'm hoping to support the hood while I remove the problem hinge.  I think that 2x4 will be critical,  since there's no way a single hinge and some pillows/blankets will be enough...

[440]

Replacing a single hinge should be fairly easy as you wouldn't need to remove the hood.

Just don't attempt it outside on a windy day 

[red79]

I've always done it the hard way, one man and lots of towels on the fenders as described above.

I always wanted to get one of these cherry picker attachments though, seems like it would save all the hassle--and the paint!

http://theautodolly.com/hood-picker/

[green69rt]

I get my wife and a neighbor, takes about 5 minutes.  One man on each side while my wife pulls the hood to hinge bolts lift it off and set in on the roof (I use a piece of old carpet to protect the roof.)   Then pull the hinges at my leisure.   DO NOT try to open or close the hinges manually.  That spring is massive and it WILL cut your fingers off.

Here is a thread that discusses most of what we're talking about.

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,121869.msg1514576.html#msg1514576

[myk]

Well I don't know how the OP is doing, but after looking much closer at my hinges I decided to buy another set that have already been restored.  I would've had to send my originals out because theyre so tweaked, and it would've cost more in the end.  Can't wait to have a hood that sits straight and tight again!