[wretched ratchet]

I am assuming that the hood springs on my '56 GMC are the same as on the Chevy pickups so what I'm needing to know is should I order springs that are the same length as the ones that won't raise the hood all the way up or should I order slightly shorter ones?

The current springs are 7 1/4" long and I am pondering replacing them with 6 1/2" new ones.

Any information on this will be greatly appreciated.
WR

[OLNOLAN]

Hey Whatchet, You Wascally Wabbit. Hope your better half is getting better. You should be inside spoon feeding her jello instead of sneakin off to work on your truck.

So if ya snuck off for a lil while, think the long springs are worn out stretched out and the original length was 6 1/2? My hood is off right now and I don't think mine had too much drop, (maybe a couple inches)so I could measure mine if you want when I'm feeling a lil bit better. If you can wait a day or two let me know and I'll pry one off and measure it. Nolan

[wretched ratchet]

I"m in not hurry but don't hurt yourself in the process. I can raise my hood up high and the spring will compleltely close and measure 7 1/4".

Thanks pal

[OLNOLAN]

Hey Em, Ok, measured mine ('57 Chevy 3100) hood off. They are 6 1/2" and still have a slight bit of tension with no weight(you can't get them off by hand), you can slip a .020" feeler gauge between the coils. So, if the GMC and Chevy hinges are the same, it sounds like yours are worn out or maybe the wrong springs. Nolan

[wretched ratchet]

thanks compadre - - - - something between the coils to take them off, eh? INGENIOUS !

[OLNOLAN]

Naw Em, I was letting you know the exact length on the spring 6.5 - (20 coils X .020") so its under .4" of tension. I have always wrapped a rag around them and pryed off and on with a tire tool. Had a spring go flying on an old Ford one time. Ha Ha

Oh, The rubber hood bumpers and coil gasket is very important on these old GM's if they are missing or bad the hood bangs on the fenders and radiator support and the cowl, it'll make you think you've got a busted shock or a bad king pin or something it bangs so loud on bumps.

[wretched ratchet]

coil gasket?

[OLNOLAN]

C O W L G A S K E T

[wretched ratchet]

ok, I might have to fffffffabricate that ?
it already feels like you're riding in a tin can with square wheels but maybe some new shocks and spring tweeking can improve that some?

[OLNOLAN]

Yours may be there, mine is missing along with all the bumpers. You can buy it all new from aftermarket. You can get every rubber component for these trucks N E W. Including the C O I L gasket.

[OLNOLAN]

Back when, I drove a '58 daily. Used tall bias ply tires(called em balloon tires back then) with the pressure real low. This combined with regular greasing every zirk on the truck made the ride better and quieter.

[wretched ratchet]

thanks for all of this info

[OLNOLAN]

For you, No problem. If you need any stock stuff that I rip out of my project I'll give it to ya. Nolan

[wretched ratchet]

Originally Posted by OLNOLAN

For you, No problem. If you need any stock stuff that I rip out of my project I'll give it to ya. Nolan

thanks - - - check your PM's please

[57halfton]

Does anyone have the stock cast iron leaf spring hangers kicking around that you have removed from your trucks for some other suspension swaps ? I am looking for the 4 for the front springs and the 4 for the rear springs.
Thanks , Gene