Shelby Fibreglass Hoods

[OldSkoolRide]

General Query on Fibreglass bonnets/hoods. I'm looking at putting a Shelby Hood on my 65 and have heard bit a pieces about different quality, issues with heat and hood warping etc.

What are peoples experiences with these fibreglass hoods, I am in Melbourne and there's a guy here that makes them and their pretty good steel rimmed etc.

Any Ideas? Options? thoughts would be great, thanks for your input.

Cheers

 

[67FBGT]

The one albeit small issue I have with the fibreglass Shelby-style hood on my 67 is that over time the 'texture' of the material has started to telegraph through the paint slightly. Only if you look closely & in certain light, but in the one concours I've entered the car in I lost points for it.
The trunk lid is also f/glass but hasn't developed the same effect.
Perhaps the hood should have had a bit more primer filler on when it was painted, I don't know. So something to take precautions against, & I'm sure knowledgeable members on this site can advise how.
My 67 hood is all f/glass ex USA & otherwise I'm pleased with it.
One thing I did have to do was purchase a set of the lighter Shelby hood springs, the standard factory hood springs are way too strong.

[66 Hertz]

mine has definatley changed in a year or so now, when it was first painted it was awesome like the rest of the car, now it has been driven a fair bit and has seen some heat from the engine bay it has a couple of small marks where the surface of the fibreglass has not bubbled but has grown a little almost like a small sharp dent from underneath. Still looks great though it is only in the right light conditions you can see it.........but I am fussy.

[shaunp]

Bake them before you paint them is the go, I think. that way if it's going to play up it may do it them. A mate of mine had some issues at his shop with Cobra bodies. He reckoned if he cooked them in the booth a couple of times prior to prep and paint they seemed to hold out better.

[66 Hertz]

I rekon that would be a smart move Shaun......I am certain the marks in mine are from heat generated from under the bonnet.........not from the glass curing etc

[StephenSLR]

One thing I did have to do was purchase a set of the lighter Shelby hood springs, the standard factory hood springs are way too strong.

The previous owner removed the hood springs on mine, now it's just the hinges and a rod at the front to hold the hood up.

There are hairline cracks in the paint (hopefully only the paint) around the opening of the scoop on the hood, apparently very common as the bonnet does flex to a degree when opened.

s

[66 Hertz]

Stephen, lighter hood springs are available, .....   http://store.cobranda.com/hoodsprings.html

I have them and they are fine, in fact I rekon I have a spare set at home unused, I think I doubled up ordering them back when I was building my car. 

[StephenSLR]

I have them and they are fine, in fact I reckon I have a spare set at home unused

I'll have to check to see how mine is set up, may just be interested in them if they're in good nick.

s

[66 Hertz]

Pretty sure they are still wrapped in plastic how I got them

[OldSkoolRide]

Thanks guy, some really good info coming out. Ill definitely get the lighter springs and look into pre bake etc.
Cheers

[GT350H]

The previous owner removed the hood springs on mine, now it's just the hinges and a rod at the front to hold the hood up.

There are hairline cracks in the paint (hopefully only the paint) around the opening of the scoop on the hood, apparently very common as the bonnet does flex to a degree when opened.

s

Hi Stephen,
Same here ( when I bought mine in 2010 ).

I now use lighter springs and a rod on my bonnet.
Its held its shape really well.
The car is sporting a 7yo paint job and its ( fibreglass bonnet ) holding up OK. Its not perfect - but it doesnt bother me.
Built to be driven (hard).

[StephenSLR]

I now use lighter springs and a rod on my bonnet.

So even with the lighter springs you still need the rod to hold up the bonnet or do you use the rod 'just in case' the bonnet catches a gust of wind, etc.?

s

[66 Hertz]

no Stephen , the lighter springs are still plenty strong enough to hold it up or open no problems..........they are still fairly big strong springs

[StephenSLR]

The car is sporting a 7yo paint job and its ( fibreglass bonnet ) holding up OK. Its not perfect - but it doesnt bother me.

Are you saying it doesn't line up properly?

I took it to one mechanic and after he closed the bonnet he noticed a bulge about half way then proceeded to push it down at the hump putting his weight on it. I almost had a fit,

'Whoa, it's fibreglass'

'Oh ...  I don't like it' was his response.

no Stephen , the lighter springs are still plenty strong enough to hold it up or open no problems..........they are still fairly big strong springs

Cheers, am having a think about it, will go down to where it's garaged over Easter, hanging to take it for a drive and will check out the hinges.

s

[68Coupe]

will go down to where it's garaged over Easter, hanging to take it for a drive

Don't tell me your neighbours have banished you Stephen? Did that lovely V8 rumble get too much for them? 

[StephenSLR]

Don't tell me your neighbours have banished you Stephen? Did that lovely V8 rumble get too much for them? 

In a word yes but I had to get a pink slip for the Torana so it's in Sydney at the moment and the neighbour is happy.  I do take the 'stang out when I visit and will be going for a bit of a drive during Easter.

Will be getting mufflers in the next month or so.

s

[67FBGT]

After discovering that the standard hood springs were too strong I initially used a prop rod (from a Datsun 180B!), until snaffling a pair of Shelby lighter springs via eBay. They work just fine, & I eventually dispensed with the rod.
Reason being that I was always worried about the possibility of someone - such as one of my kids, or me during servicing or cleaning - knocking the prop rod & having the hood crash down with nasty consequences. So I strongly advise using the lighter springs.
Shelby hoods often seem to bow a little across the middle, & not follow the line of the guards; my mate's unrestored GT350H was a case in point. And so does mine. No doubt the steel frame ones are better in that respect.
So the f/glass hoods have an imperfect character, & I actually like that.

[GT350H]

Are you saying it doesn't line up properly?

It lines up OK ( not 100% perfect, but nothing too obvious ).
AS for the prop rod, I use it to support the springs as the springs wont hold it on their own ( the bonnet coimes down in slow motion ). Im pretty sure the PO ( USA ) said he used 6 cyl bonnet hinge springs ( I cant see how that would make a difference, but - whatever !! ).
Might look into the Shelby springs one day.

As for the neighbours, I have a similar problem. I try and sneak out and sneak in as best I can but at the end of the day - tough titties !!
Enjoy it mate - you deserve it.

[67FBGT]

GT350H, most likely your PO grabbed some springs off a smaller car hood & they're just not quite up to the job! The correct  weight springs I've got work fine, the hood drops back a little from absolute full extension due to some slop in the hinges but then stays put. Safer than a rod AFAIAC.

[StephenSLR]

I notice online you can get ones with pneumatic dampers.



http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/SheetMetal/hood_hinges.htm

s

[GT350H]

GT350H, most likely your PO grabbed some springs off a smaller car hood & they're just not quite up to the job! The correct  weight springs I've got work fine, the hood drops back a little from absolute full extension due to some slop in the hinges but then stays put. Safer than a rod AFAIAC.

Yeah maybe.
Thanks for the advice

[GT350H]

I notice online you can get ones with pneumatic dampers.



http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/SheetMetal/hood_hinges.htm

s

I like the black ones.
Have you got a set ( or are you thinking of getting some? )

[StephenSLR]

I like the black ones.
Have you got a set ( or are you thinking of getting some? )

No I was just looking at some options and there are different ones around from different suppliers.



http://www.hillbankmotorsports.com/ring-brothers/interior-and-accessories-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10/rb-billet-hood-hinge-kit-mustang-1965-1966-1.html

They're a little bit too modern looking for my taste.

s

[unilec5544]

No I was just looking at some options and there are different ones around from different suppliers.



http://www.hillbankmotorsports.com/ring-brothers/interior-and-accessories-1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10/rb-billet-hood-hinge-kit-mustang-1965-1966-1.html

They're a little bit too modern looking for my taste.

s

I think for that price, I would rather use a prop rod. I have a fibreglass hood for my car with the metal frame and it feels just as heavy as my steel one, so maybe its just the stress area around the hinge, that may cause the fibreglass to crack.

[StephenSLR]

I have a fibreglass hood for my car with the metal frame and it feels just as heavy as my steel one, so maybe its just the stress area around the hinge, that may cause the fibreglass to crack.

Mine ain't no feather either.  Yep, if the hinge doesn't want to move easily you have the fibreglass flexing at a fulcrum point/line at the tip of the hinges.

s