TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Aug 11, 2008 2:00 pm

Yea, I didn't think so. Nevertheless, I'm back. Sold my '79 vert a while back. Kept planning on starting the '78 Champagne Ed. resto, but kept putting it off. Just paid my diesel bill on my Sportsmobile for the month. That was 600 big-ones. So, as much as it pains me, gonna upgrade the suspension, front brakes and put some new tires on my '78 and start driving it (far from unrestored). Its gonna look ratty, but no time to do it right, at least right now (even have all the parts for the resto).

First thing I've got to do is replace the tweaked hood hinges on this late Super. Does anyone have any pics or tips on how to do this? Seems like it might be near impossible. Read the few posts on the subject, but seems people just end up banging their heads against the wall and give up. I'd rather do it right, so if you've had success in replacing the hinges on a late Super, please give me some pointers.

Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:06 pm

Not at all.

Mon Aug 11, 2008 4:30 pm

Sorry, no success here yet. I'm currently restoring my '79, and I removed my hinges, but lost my hardware. Springs are broken and would like to replace with strut cartridges, but no one sells them for '74< Trying to figure out how to re attach hinges though. They have to go back on somehow!

Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:07 pm

It is definitely possible. I took the hinges off of my '74 Super and powder coated them about 6 years ago. If I remember correctly, the passenger side was easier to remove/install then the driver side. I think I just used a small flat screwdriver to remove and install the clips. I also had a retractable pick up magnet tool, as I dropped the clip trying to install it on the top a few times. It was kind of a pain, but I got them installed and I have since removed and powder coated the hinges from my '78 'vert project (haven't reinstalled them as the car is a huge project). Sorry I don't have more tips on how I did it.

Here are the hinges I powder coated in Single Stage Chrome for my '78 (they look like slightly polished aluminum in person).

Mon Aug 11, 2008 6:35 pm

Thanks. That's good info. At least I know its possible for a person to do it with regular tools.

Tue Aug 12, 2008 6:57 am

The bolts that are the 'pivot' point on the hinges is a special bolt. It's a shoulder bolt.