Hood Closing by Itself - FIXED

[6foot4]

My 1973 Mach 1 hood has never stayed open by itself. It might sit open for a minute, but then closes by itself. This is dangerous if you are trying to work in the engine compartment. I did order the new springs from Don last year. Good springs, but still the same result. I have been using a mop to hold the hood open, when I work on it, but the other day, I was changing the alternator, and I bumped the hood, the mop fell out, and down came the hood.
I started looking at the hinge and spring, and saw that the spring was not under much tension and could be easily removed (with a rope), when the hood was open. It just needs more tension on the spring. I had an idea. I removed the hood and the hood hinges. I took a piece of 1/8 thick steel plate about 1/2 square. I welded this to the rear hinge hook. I then made a new hinge hook slot with the grinder. The hinge was now 1/2 inch further apart to mount the spring. As well, it was stronger, with the added metal. I reinstalled the hinges. The springs now took more force to install. I had an assistant help pull on the rope, while I guided the spring into place. I reinstalled the hood and it stays up by itself. It closes normally, with just a light push, but does not fall by itself like it used to.

   

   

[Steven Harris]

Good deal!

Thanks for sharing the fix. With the information we can pass along the suggestion to the next.

[JTS71 Mach1]

Beats the heck out of getting slapped in the back of the head while leaning over the fender. Cool fix. JTS 71 Mach1

[Mustangmike]

Yes, thank you for sharing the fix and the work around ingenuity

[Mach1FatherFigure]

Always good to learn of a repair that works!! Noted, Thanks and Good Luck with your Mustang!!