My ‘81 caprice has a hood that’s got a fair bit of rust. I’m seeing aftermarket hoods in black primer for around $200. Anyone have any experience any of the dozen or so hoods that pop up under a google search for 1981 Caprice Hood? I found a used OEM hood off a Parisienne for about the same money.
My money, my car, I go for the used OEM part any day. I don't have any experience with this specific part, but aftermarket body panels can be a real crap shoot for fitment and quality. I'm actually shocked that there are aftermarket reproductions for these cars.
Thanks. I was surprised too. I might take the chance on it - getting the oem part from Ohio to CT is costly, and it’s a lot less work to finish the aftermarket part. If the new one is junk, I will have learned a lesson. But I’d love to hear if anyone has experience with one of these aftermarket hoods.
My hood flexes at the crash seem? I think that what its called. The purpose built seems when you get into an accident. Anyway mine flexes every time I open and close the hood. Im not a body work expert so I'm not sure if it would be cheaper to fix or replace. The only place I have found a replacement is at a salvage yard out in California and not sure of condition so looks like ill be taking it in to get fixed by a pro.
I've found, if you *push rearward* on the hood, rather than *down,* it prevents hood flexing. It's especially necessary on the GM pickups from 1973 on; the hood hinges and springs resist the movement downward, causing undue flexing of the hood at the crash seam. So, put your hand heels on the front vertical edge of the hood, and push rearward till it begins moving backward then down. Then drop it 3-4 inches above the latch.
Thanks. I’ll try that out to see if it helps. I’ve heard of people replacing the hinges themselves to newer versions. Mine hold the hood up good. Prolly a little too good because it won’t do the 3-4in drop. Need to put some lube on them cause I have to lower it and then open up the latch and push the rest of the way down. Then on each side of the hood I have to walk over and press it down because of how weak it is at the crash seams. The driver side is worse than the passenger.
Rusted hinges are 95% of your problem. They used to bind even when the vehicles were in regular use. There are several pivot points on each hinge. Spray them liberally with PB Blaster and work the hood up and down until the hinges move freely. Then blow them out and hit them with a light oil. This was a free service we used to perform whenever it was indicated. Why? because it might be one of our driveway attendants, who didn't know any better, who bent a customers hood and we'd get stuck with the repair bill. Some things are just good business....CYOA.
Hey, OldFox, good to hear from you! Yeah, as a kid, I remember Dad doing hood hinge CIL every once in a while, especially after my bro Tim got in an accident with Mom's '80 Silverado 10, and the hood was never the same after that.
And, after I got here to Texas, because of salt use on Soldier Pass in Utah, the hinges (and just about everything else) began rusting fairly quickly. I had to use the PB and a wire brush to work it into the hinge points, then use the PB lube. They work OK now, but I should think about taking them off and soaking them in liquid PB for a few weeks.
