Posted By |
Discussion Topic:
1941 Merc hood springs
-- page:
1
2
|
|
buford8 |
03-21-2013 @ 7:39 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 50
Joined: Oct 2009
|
The hood would not stay up by itself so I ordered a pair of hood springs from Mac's Antique Ford parts. Now the hood will almost stay up and will stay at about half-mast...it is obvious that these hood hinges need stronger springs...anyone have this same problem? how did you solve it? ( incidentley my hood hinges are in very good condition and are adjusted properly for good hood fit and alignment)
You mess with me, you mess with the whole trailer park!
|
supereal |
03-21-2013 @ 2:03 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
|
I'd send them back and order a set of supports from C&G (800/266-0470. Their part numbers for the set is 91A-16782/3, $55. Hood supports that don't hold up the hood are caused by weak springs and/or poor quality construction. I have used the C&G, and never had a problem with either hood or trunk lid support. Putting new springs on old supports often jams the pivots. Be sure the hinge to hood bolts are the correct shoulder type if there isn't a shoulder on the hood. The part number for the bolts is 3110, a 1/4"-28 with a 3/8" shoulder, $2 each.
This message was edited by supereal on 3-21-13 @ 2:04 PM
|
TomO |
03-22-2013 @ 7:18 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 7250
Joined: Oct 2009
|
The Mercury hood is heavier than the Ford hood, so the support arms pivot cannot have any play. Because your hood almost stays up, I would guess that you have a little play (1/64" or less) in the support arm pivots. This can only be determined when the springs are removed from the arms and the arms moved to about the open position. Stronger springs usually do not fix the problem. Unfortunately I do not know of anybody that reproduces the support arms for the 41 Ford or Mercury. The P/N for the 41 cars is 11A-16782 and 11A-16783. The 91A arms do not have the lower bracket and the geometry may be different. If you are a member of the Early Ford V-8 Club, check with Fred Killian for a source or solution.
Tom
|
buford8 |
03-22-2013 @ 8:38 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 50
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Thanks for the input...I realize the four inch longer hood on the Merc is heavier so I very carefully checked for play in the hinges when I replaced the springs, also put all new proper bolts to hold the hinges to the cowl and the hood. The hood now fits the cowl and opens and closes great...it just seems that the springs are not quite strong enough to do the job...the old springs are made of slightly smaller wire than the new ones from Mac's.(the old springs would not hold the hood up at all) I wonder if the replacement springs for a Merc should be different from the Ford items? In Mac's catalog they list the springs as the same for Ford and Merc The situation with my hood problem is almost acceptable cause the hood will stay up about half way to where it should be when fully open.
You mess with me, you mess with the whole trailer park!
|
supereal |
03-23-2013 @ 12:07 PM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
|
C&G shows the 21A-16796/7 hinge brackets for the 41-48 Merc/ $50/pair, if that is part of the problem. As Tom says, any slight play in the pivots is magnafied by the geometry of the brackets or arms. C&G shows the springs for the 39-48 Merc as 91A-16789, $6. They are the same as Ford per their catalog.
|
TomO |
03-24-2013 @ 10:53 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 7250
Joined: Oct 2009
|
The Mercury uses the same supports and springs the the Ford does. The 41 / 42 hood support arms were barely adequate when new, so they were changed. The Mercury Chassis parts catalog shows that the service replacement is the 51A-16782/83. I have never tried to fit the later support arms to a 41 hood and body. Here is a link to Drake's hood support arms. http://www.bobdrake.com/SearchForm.aspx?Search=Hood+Arm+Spring+Supports Maybe you can find one that will work on your hood.
Tom
|
buford8 |
03-29-2013 @ 11:09 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 50
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Well I ordered the hood arms and springs from C&G the new ones don't work any better than the old ones with new springs. I am starting to think there might be some heavy Bondo or lead in the hood...it still sits at half-mast when left on its own...
You mess with me, you mess with the whole trailer park!
|
supereal |
03-29-2013 @ 11:48 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 6819
Joined: Oct 2009
|
As TomO said, the Merc hood is longer than the Ford and, thus, is somewhat heavier. The same springs, 91A-16789, are listed for 39-48 Ford and Merc, so you may be right about lead, etc, but it is unlikely, I think. You could try shortening a set of springs by annealing one end, cutting off a coil or two, and reforming a hook to increase the tension.
|
TomO |
03-30-2013 @ 8:52 AM
|
|
|
Senior
Posts: 7250
Joined: Oct 2009
|
Buford, could you post some photos of the hood support arms installed in your 41? I would like to see the arms with the hood all the way up and another where it has settled to.
Tom
|
buford8 |
03-31-2013 @ 9:53 AM
|
|
|
Member
Posts: 50
Joined: Oct 2009
|
I can take some pics but I don't know how to post them on this site. If you will email me at: dingmanjk@gmail.com I will send the pics to you and you may post them. Thanks, buford8
You mess with me, you mess with the whole trailer park!
|