[Freddiezee]

I see there is a lot o info on 1970-73 Formula hood weight. No one has answered with the exact or rough weight of these hoods. I know they are ungodly heavy but I need close weight. I am trying to configure gas hood supports or actuators to raise the hood. They make a multitude of these supports but I need weight and length to complete this equation. If no one knows off hand maybe you can direct me to someone who might.

Thanks for any help,
Fred Z

email freddie.zee65@gmail.com

 

[ZumpTA]

Guessing around 75/80 pounds? The steel T/A hood was confirmed at 65 pounds by NOT A TA (John@Lab14), and the fiberglass hoods were a bit heavier... They had no idea how strong Fiberglass was back then and tended to overdo it by a lot, and then some.

Firebird Central claims these springs are for the factory fiberglass Formula hood, not the lightweight replacement. You won't see that in the listing, but if you load up their part SHE-223 which is for fiberglass hoods, it says; "These are really designed for aftermarket fiberglass hoods. If you have a 70-81 original GM formula style hood, you may want to use our part number # SHE-122.".

SHE-122 is for all 1970-1981 hoods, so, obviously the weight isn't that much of a factor above and beyond the steel T/A hood.

Firebird Central | 1970 - 1981 Firebird Hood Hinge Spring, Each, Quality Parts, Low Prices

New hood hinge spring for your Firebird or Trans Am. Exact fit for all 1970 - 1981 models. Correct length and coil count. Replaces original GM part number 3907626 perfectly.

www.firebirdcentral.com

The information just isn't out there, probably because the people who cared about it's weight threw that sucker out! Your options seem simple enough though; buy the right springs for your hinges, guess at the weight, or weigh it and be the guy who puts the information out there for the next person.

Strut conversion seems like a lot more work than "doing it right the first time", but, that's just me I guess.

Good Luck!

 

[Freddiezee]

Thanks for the reply. I totally understand and appreciate your point of view. As this car has totally become a resto mod I am looking for suttle touches to set it off. When I got the thing it was a Frakenbird. Would have been cost prohibitive to restore. Probably put together at one time from 3 or 4 different year cars. Anyway I believe I will try to weigh the hood and will post the results.

Thanks again,
Fred Z.

 

[Formula71]

I've never weighed mine, I just know it's darn heavy, lol.

Even though they overdid the fiberglass, it still cracks over the years. Mine made it about 10 years before it started cracking (after the restoration.) Now I need to get it redone again.

 

[Freddiezee]

Thanks to all who replied.

F.Z.

 

[Aus78Formula]

Did you weigh it ?

 

[Freddiezee]

right at 78 pounds. I found a company called gassprings. They sent me a formula for length and pressure.

F.Z.

 

[ZumpTA]

Guessing around 75/80 pounds? The steel T/A hood was confirmed at 65 pounds by NOT A TA (John@Lab14)...

right at 78 pounds.

F.Z.

Not bad for a "guess", eh?

 

[Freddiezee]