How to tell if you need new hood hinges

[ACUDANUT]

Besides the obvious, on the car and the hood does not shut without two people. 

IS THERE A WAY,  to look at ones not on a car and know they will work. ?

[ACUDANUT]

no one knows ?

[lasvegas69charg]

I had a pin break on my pass side hood hinge. I had the pin replaced but every time I close the hood I have to push the rear pass side corner down to level with the fender.

[ACUDANUT]

My problem Is I have to mostly close the hood, then go to both sides of the hood (where the hinges are) and push down each side..  I have other hinges, but don't know how to test them outside of the car.
HELP me Please

[lasvegas69charg]

sounds like my problem but just one side. I wonder if that could be adjusted out.

[ACUDANUT]

My problem Is I have to mostly close the hood, then go to both sides of the hood (where the hinges are) and push down each side..  I have other hinges, but don't know how to test them outside of the car.
HELP me Please

No Help ?

[Chatt69chgr]

The shop manual talks about how to adjust the hinges.  It's possible that the condition you describe could be adjusted out.  I would assume that if there was rust in the interior working surfaces of the hinges, if the springs were weak, or if the pivot pins were badly worn that this would account for this too.  You can't take the hinges apart without replacing the pivot pins.  And this has to be done by someone that has the pins and the equipment to reinstall them with.  I guess you could try other springs. 

Mine did just what you describe on the passenger side.  Instead of messing around with the hinges, I just sent them off and had them rebuilt.  You can also buy new ones but I think the rebuilt option is better.  $$ is about the same. 

[Charger-Bodie]

A lot of the time some graphite to lube them up will take care of the hinge not falling into place. Because of the bind it just hangs there. If  that doesnt take care of it you can adjust it out at the hinge , if there is any adustment left.

[bill440rt]

I think what the OP is asking is if there is a way to tell if hinges are bad OFF the car. Personally I don't know of one, and I don't think there is a way to VISUALLY tell other than obvious signs of wear or play at the pivot points.
Other than that, I only know of 3 options:
1) Install 'em & take a gamble.   
2) Buy newly rebuilt ones.
3) Buy repros.

[tan top]

 first sign hinges worn & if all your panels are correctly aligned , is the back edge of the hood sticking up about 1/2 inch higher than the cowl  , well thats how mine was 

as whats been mentioned , pin/rivet pulls through & hinge falls appart , hood drops & will damage fender , cowl , hood  may be all three ,  i was lucky to catch mine , so did no damage , temporary fix , take hinge off re assemble , clamp in position with vice / vice grips etcetc  & weld a big washer on  rivet that pulled through, was still holding until 5 years latertill i started the resto , then got a rebuilt pair from SMS 

[ACUDANUT]

Does it being a 72 make any difference ?