[tech69]

You get a coat hanger and loop it 2-3 times around a small slide hammer weight and weld the loop shut. Toss on the hinges loosely on the car and put in the back of the spring towards the rear. Then you use your coat hanger to grab the other end of the spring and pull it forward til it engages over the hook on the hinge. Done. Doesn't work everytime but does most of the time.
Easy tool to make too.

 

[Chevymon]

There is a much simpler way and it works great.
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-28-hood-spring-installation-74269.html

 

[MARTINSR]

There is a much simpler way and it works great.
http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/tip-day-28-hood-spring-installation-74269.html

Hey, how's that for a blast from the past! :thumbup:

Either way would work fine, if you didn't have a chain Henry's method would do the same thing.

I noticed there were no photos on that other thread so I just added a couple.

Brian

 

[tech69]

yeah a chain works great but we've found that the links kind of get in the way sometimes cause it's so fat. The Guru showed me his little McGuiver tool he made for them and I thought it worked the same but disengaged off the spring a little better.

 

[poncho62]

I just have a large screwdriver/prybar with a hole drilled in the flat part...Use it like a drum brake spring tool.

 

[Chevymon]

Give the chain a try, like Brian says, it will surprise you how easy it is and you use a chain the size you need, even a small one wrapped around your hand.

 

[tech69]

I've tried it but not with the cool hook he has on the chain in his pics. I guess our shop guru figured it easier to McGuiver a tool up as opposed to getting a nice thin hook for the end of it. Not the first time guys doing essentially the same thing with different tools. Just a read a post about a guy using a fan belt...interesting.

 

[MARTINSR]

Henry, you are exactly right, it's the concept that has been made clear here and THAT is the most important part. That being you CAN simply pull the spring and put it on. Being with garage made tool like yours, a fan belt, or a chain. It is EASY to install these springs when the method is as we have been talking about, stretch it out and hook it where it belongs.

Lot's of people have tried prying, stretching it out and filling it with nails, I have seen all kinds of ways that are DANGEROUS or damage the paint (nails?) hopefully everyone who pulls this thread open will see that, it's the method that counts not the exact tool used. :thumbup:

Brian

 

[hinges56]

Pennies

I guess I'm just lazy. Take the spring on your work bench and bend it back and forth, each time, slipping a penny into the gap one side at a time until the spring is long enough to fit. Close the hood and they all fall out. Done.

 

[MARTINSR]

I guess I'm just lazy. Take the spring on your work bench and bend it back and forth, each time, slipping a penny into the gap one side at a time until the spring is long enough to fit. Close the hood and they all fall out. Done.

That's not lazy, our way is lazy, that's a bunch of work!

Brian

 

[Chevymon]

I would have never thought to use the chain Brian, it works so easy its unbelieveable.

 

[tech69]

That's not lazy, our way is lazy, that's a bunch of work!

Brian

yeah but don't you think it would be cool to just hear the pennies drop just once? Just for kicks.