The hinges are fabricated out of either 304 Stainless Steel with a electro-polished finish or unfinished carbon steel.  In both cases all the hardware is SS and the bushings are permanently lubricated for a long life.  They are designed to install the same way as the stock hinges.

These hinges do not utilize any springs or struts.  Springs and struts are always applying pressure to the hood with most of the pressure being applied when the hood is in the closed position.  This causes accelerated wear and tear as well as premature hinge failure.  They also applies undue stress to the hood when the hood is in the closed position, which is most of the time. 

With this hinge design, the hood is held in place by a spring loaded clutch assembly.  Tension is adjustable for use with either steel, FRP or composite hoods.  This hinge system does not apply any pressure to the hood or hinge when the hood is closed.  Tension can be adjusted to hold the hood up in many different positions from partially open to full up.  In the full up position the hood will stand almost vertical.

Hinge assembly

The hinges are supplied as a kit.  Below is an exploded view of the PASSENGER side hinge.  The drivers side hinge is a mirror image of the one shown.  There are only three parts that are passenger or divers side specific.  These are the formed hood mounting brackets, the offset control arm and the geared mounting arm with the pressed bushing.

Assembling the hinges is a simple and straightforward process.

Use the below layout as a guide and organize all the passenger side and the drivers side parts into two groups before assembly.

NOTE:  We have included 10 small stainless steel washers that are not shown on the assembly drawing.  These washers need to be installed on the "A" and "B" shoulder bolts before assembly.

NOTE:  We have included 8 conical washers (item "F") in your kit.  For steel hoods we recommend that 2 STACKED PARALLEL washers be used (2 per shoulder bolt).  For FRP hoods we recommend that 2 STACKED INVERTED washers be used (2 per shoulder bolt).  See illustration below

Bolt the assembly together finger tight and check the range of operation.

NOTE:  Shoulder bolts "A" (3 per hinge) need a torque setting of approx 15 foot lbs (good and snug) and retained in place with a drop of lock-tight (not included).  Add the drop of lock-tight to the threads of the shoulder bolt before installing the lock nuts (item "M").  Tighten the lock nuts down and your done.

NOTE:  Shoulder bolts "B" (2 per hinge) should be left finger tight until after the hood is installed and these items do not require lock-tight.  These bolts control the amount of tension applied to the hinges.

Getting ready to install

The initial prep is easy, just remove the original hood and hinges.  Clean and detail the area if necessary.  We recommend that you run a tap through the 6 hinge mounting holes on the aprons (three each side) and also the 4 hood mounting holes, just to make sure that the threads are clean and free of burrs and other debris.

After chasing the holes, coat the inside of into all 6 hinge mounting holes found on the apron and the four hood mounting holes with anti-seize (not included).  This will keep the stainless steel hardware from galling.

Initial fit-up

Install the hinges starting with the 4 lowest screws (do not install the two upper screws at this time).  Use the four ¾” diameter spacers and four of the longest Allen head screws and washers.  For the initial setup you should mount the hinge with the Allen screws set at the middle of the adjustment slots.

NOTE:  We have included a set of plastic washers to be used during installation and hinge adjustment.  These washers are to be inserted between the washers and the hinge mounting plate.  These washers are to be removed after you have made the final hinge adjustments.

Shimming the hinges for proper fit

After you have the lower four bolts in place, open the hinge to its full open position.  There hinges are built to a very close tolerance so there is no side to side play.  To prepare for the hood installation, you need to align the hood bolt holes by shimming the upper mounting hole.

The first step is to install the upper Allen screws using a large diameter washer and large diameter spacer.  Do not install any shims at this point.

With the hinges fully open, measure the distance between the upper mounting holes (from left to right, hinge to hinge).  Repeat for the lower mounting holes.  If the dimensions are the same, you are finished with this step.  If the distance between the upper holes is greater than the distance between the lower holes you will need to add some shims.

We have included 6 washers that you can use for shims.  When installing the shims, install one shim per side (between the hinge and the spacer).  Re-measure and add additional shims as necessary.

Fitting the hood

NOTE:  Make sure that you have all the rubber hood bumpers installed (2 on each fender and the two adjustable stops at the core support).  Also, the gasket at the cowl.

After making sure that the distance between the hood mounting bolts are the same, you can now install the hood.

Before mounting the hood, install the two gas springs.  Remove the pin locks (two on each spring).  Snap the springs into place.  The spring should be positioned on the hinge with the air chamber closest to the hood and the stainless rod closest to the fender apron.  Re-install the pin locks.

Bolt the hood to the hinge using the four short Allen screws and washers.  For the initial fit up, locate the hood full up, as far away from the cowl as possible.

Hood adjustment

With the hood bolted in place, slowly lower the hood.  Check for clearance on all three sides.  At this point the hood should be centered in the opening between the fenders and should also be FAR away from the cowl

Loosen the hood attachment screws and slowly start moving the hood back toward the cowl.  Proper adjustment will be reached when the front of the hood lines up with the headlight extensions.  Always check for hood to cowl clearance as you move the hood into place.

At this point you can check the hood to fender alignment.  If the hood is too high or to low, loosen the bolts on the hinge and move the entire hinge up or down equally on that side.  Repeat on the other side until the top of the hood is flush with the top of the fenders.

Fine tuning adjustments

If you have a hood to cowl clearance issue, you may have the hinges racked backwards.  Loosen the upper and front lower mounting screws (leave the rear tight).  Lower the front of the hinge, retighten the bolts and check hood clearance.  Repeat as necessary.

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