Hood Prop

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Haps93

Hood Prop

Post by Haps93 »

Recently broke my prop on '78 and was wondering if anyone has ever attempted to use some kind of strut system on the hood.

OR


Any idea whereabouts I can purchase a prop. I can't seem to find with any of the vendors.

Cheers,

Chris

78 124 Spider
narfire
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Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Hood Prop

Post by narfire »

Check in the parts for sale, perhaps someone has a clapped out hood (rust) and the strut is salvagable.
When I goto the coast,I pass a rusting 73 that might have what you need for example but not going that way for awhile.
Chris
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
grittracing

Re: Hood Prop

Post by grittracing »

i have a stock spider hood prop for the center. if you can find anything else. $10 plus shipping. coming from Detroit
baltobernie
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Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
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Re: Hood Prop

Post by baltobernie »

The early cars really have it tough with only one hairclip on the driver's side. Lots of warped hoods, and there's the constant danger of one slamming shut during a car show, etc.

I used a pair of gas struts from McMaster-Carr on both the hood and trunk lids. (Early cars have a prop for the trunk, too). I welded the flange to the hood, but I've seen others that have bolted theirs.

Image
Haps93

Re: Hood Prop

Post by Haps93 »

Thanks Baltobernie,

That's what I'm thinking of. I like the struts idea.

In fact my "hair clip" prop must have became bent from having hood open and the bend was pushing the end of the prop up into the hood when closed. I only noticed when I started to see a raised bump in the hood.


Cheers,

haps93 (Chris)


78 Fiat Spider
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Zippy
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Your car is a: 1978 Fiat
Location: Real Close to Milton, WA

Re: Hood Prop

Post by Zippy »

I was helping my son work on his house one day and he need another bag of mortar for his tile floor. It was a beautiful day so we took my car. It was a wholesale outlet we went to so after we placed the order they bring it out on a cart. The warehouseman put it in the trunk (boot) then reached up to shut the trunk lid. Fortunately he was on the prop side of the car and I was able to stop him before he did any damage. :roll:
1978 Spider
katinc

Re: Hood Prop

Post by katinc »

baltobernie do you still have the dimensions of the strut? and how many pounds push was it?
Thanks
baltobernie
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Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
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Re: Hood Prop

Post by baltobernie »

McMaster-Carr part numbers. Quantities shown are for complete installation.

(2) 9416K17, 20#
(4) 9416K86
(2) 9512K95
(2) 9512K92
architect
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Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Hood Prop

Post by architect »

Does anyone else have pictures of gas struts for the front hood?
78 Fiat 124
spider2081
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Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
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Re: Hood Prop

Post by spider2081 »

I used a pair of gas struts from McMaster-Carr on both the hood and trunk lids.
I really like your set up. I tried something similar on my 81 FI. I could not figure a way to get the right side gas strut to clear the FI air filter box. I probably gave up too easily.
architect
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Your car is a: 1978 Fiat Spider
Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Hood Prop

Post by architect »

Just ordered some 14” - 25lbs struts from Amazon.

I will post my finding next week! I just installed a new 79 hood on my 78.. and the stock hood support hits my alumn radiator.

Image
78 Fiat 124
Justice777
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Your car is a: 1978 Spider 124 5 spd
Location: Southern Maine

Re: Hood Prop

Post by Justice777 »

Great idea guys. Glad I came across this post.
architect
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Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Hood Prop

Post by architect »

Alright - just finished my install. It was a super easy. It literally took 1/2 an hour. All you need is a drill, stainless sheet metal screws, a few washers.

Keep in mind - I have a 78 with a brand new 79 hood. You have to remove the stock prop to make this work.

I went with 24lbs but your could easily go 30-40. It worked just right, I can lift open or close the hood with 1 finger.

I used these parts from Amazon:
(2) 10MM Ball Stud Bracket (2 Pack) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004713BR2?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf
(1) 24 LB Gas Strut (set of 2) C16-06389 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0018C85VK/re ... OkpbnQlmos


If you mount the bracket right at the inner fender metal seem, it will be perfect for clearance.

See pics - paint job on the way!



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Cheers!
78 Fiat 124
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spidernut
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Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider Automatic
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Re: Hood Prop

Post by spidernut »

Looks great. I'm assuming that since you said it can open and close with one finger, that a strong gust of wind would cause it to shut (at least somewhat). Is that correct? If so, would you have gone with the 30 lb or 40 lb ones instead if you were to do it over?
John G.
1979 Spider (Owned since 2000)
1971 124 Sport Spider (Owned since 2017)
1977 Spider (Sold 2017)
1979 Spider (Disposed of in 2017)
1979 Spider (Sold 2015)
1980 Spider (Sold in 2013)
1981 Spider (Sold in 1985)
2017 Spider (Owned since 2019)
architect
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Location: Austin, Texas

Re: Hood Prop

Post by architect »

spidernut wrote:Looks great. I'm assuming that since you said it can open and close with one finger, that a strong gust of wind would cause it to shut (at least somewhat). Is that correct? If so, would you have gone with the 30 lb or 40 lb ones instead if you were to do it over?
Well yes and no..

I believe since the strut is so close to the hinge point.. it kinda locks it in place. So while in the 90 degree position, it takes some force to tilt the hood down to 75 degrees, then pulling the hood closed to a 0 degree is a one finger effort. A little hard to explain. When the strut “max” out of its extension, it locks into place.

Let’s just say I won’t rely on it slamming shut. You might want to go 30+ range.
78 Fiat 124
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