Hood Pin Installation

[Bob]

Could someone please post the correct way to install hood pins on a 74 Charger with a fiberglass hood.
Thanks
Bob

[yeahitsgotahemi!]

This is my way. I assume you still have hinges. If not, the install might be different.

- Remove old hood and sell on eBay for 1 million dollars (or keep it).
- Install new hood, and align and fit it it to your satisfaction. Fiberglass hoods usually never fit perfect, so keep this in mind. If you demand perfection, be prepared to work for it. Try to shoot for a nice even gap on either side (this will be important later).
- Once the hood is fit, I like to fit the hood pin posts in. I have a 69, which has a place for rubber bumpers. I pitched the rubber bumpers and removed the retaining hardware so I have a nice place to fit the hood pin posts. You may not have that option. Find another place to drill for the posts, making sure that they are both the same distance from the fenders. The radiator support may or may not be a good place to mount them. Use your best judgment.
- Once you've measured....twice, and are sure that you will be happy where the pins will be placed on the hood, drill and install posts.
- Now you have a hood that won't close. No worries. At this point I like to dab a little paint on the posts, gently close the hood on them, and viola, I have a nice mark on where to drill some holes. I like to use a small bit to go up through the bottom. I then turn the hood over and drill through with a bigger drill bit to finish her off. Note that depending on the paint you have on the hood, you may want to place some tape on the place where you're drilling.
- If you measured and were careful about the placement, they should be evenly spaced / look symmetrical. Adjust post height appropriately. Install lanyards and go have a beer and do a burnout!! (not necessarily in that order though)
   

[yeahitsgotahemi!]

Oh, and a few thoughts on hood pins:

- I love hood pins, so much so that I decided it would be a good idea to remove the hood latch on one of my vehicles. On occasion, I have forgotten to latch the hood pins, and let me tell you, those are exciting drive. This is a really good way to delaminate a nice fiberglass hood. I plan on using a latch in the future. If your smarter than me, fantastic, no worries here. 
- Unless you have someone to help with removing the hood every time you want to open it, you may want to get the hood that has bolt holes for the hinges. Well worth the $$ in my opinion.
-On that note, the low tension springs are also mandatory. Using the stock springs will bulge the hood up and stress the hood/look like crap. Not having the correct springs hasn't worked out greater either, I have found that the hinges don't seat right without tension and can in some cases bind up.   
- hoodpins.net has some nice billet aluminum hoodpin kits, as opposed to those filmsy 'pieces of sheet' metal.

[Bob]

Thanks for the info. I have the the hinge type hood and the weaker springs.
Bob

[charger2fast4u]

Where did you get the hood hinge springs at for the fiberglass hood I need to replace mine I have a steel hood and I'm waiting to get my fiberglass hood delivered  from AAR and want to get the    springs awhile so I don't have to wait to get them later 

[Bob]

Where did you get the hood hinge springs at for the fiberglass hood I need to replace mine I have a steel hood and I'm waiting to get my fiberglass hood delivered  from AAR and want to get the    springs awhile so I don't have to wait to get them later 

I got the trunk springs on a 90 something Cad DeVille.

[FLG]

VFN does not list em but they sell the springs as well

http://www.vfnfiberglass.com/