Part 10 – Hood Prop

[RJacobsen]

Since my car had no hood hinges when I got it, it also did not have a hood prop. This is my version.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop1.JPG

Material needed:
· Small piece of 1 x1 ½” angle aluminum (Home depot or Lowe’s)
· About 3’ of 3/8” round aluminum (Home depot or Lowe’s)
· Nylon bushing (Auto Zone)
You can see in the next picture that the bushing is held on the round bar by an internal collar. I cut this extra one in half to show the inside.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop7.JPG

Start by machining the end of the round bar to accept the nylon bushing.
I did this by chucking the bar in my drill press (before any bending) and with the drill press running on a slow speed use a hacksaw to carefully cut a grove around the bar. Bend the bar 90 degrees and install the bushing. I cut the aluminum angle as shown and drilled the appropriate holes. Push the prop rod into the bracket and that end is done. Simple and rattle free.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop2.jpg

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop3.jpg

[RJacobsen]

On the other end I used the welder to build up material for a stop collar and while I was at it made a hook on the end to keep the prop in place in case the wind tries to blow it loose.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop4.jpg

The hooked end requires an “L” shaped hole for everything to work.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop5.jpg

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop6.jpg

Since the whole thing is make out of aluminum it was easy to polish it up and be done.
That’s all for now
To be continued…

[bstandley1]

Rod,

It's a thing of beauty!

Bob

[Naumoff]

Rod, you are good!

Are you going to make a bezel for the prop rod opening in the hood?

[eliminator]

Looks good to me, I like the nylon bushing.

[davebetts]

Wow, nice job. I love the Geometry and the Shine.

[RJacobsen]

Are you going to make a bezel for the prop rod opening in the hood?

Tony, It was'nt part of the plan. Yet ;)

[Aggressor]

Rod,

I always enjoy seeing your work. It's a fine install and the plastic grommet is a good idea.

-Geary

[brfutbrian]

rod, sweet.

[RJacobsen]

This is how to cover the “L” shaped hole.
Add to material list 1” x ½” x 1 ½” aluminum and machine backside as shown below.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop9.jpg

Polish and install on hood over ugly hole.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop8.jpg

Fabricate clip from sheet aluminum, Polish, line inside with black duct tape to protect prop rod and screw to inner fender.

http://www.uniquecobra.com/gallery/files/1/5/0/5/Hoodprop10.jpg

Then thank Tony for the constructive criticism.
Thanks Tony, I didn’t like the looks of that hole in the hood either.

[Naumoff]

Rod,
It looks great. And don't thank me, I wasn't criticizing I was just asking.:)

You have great skills!

[RJacobsen]

Tony, I didn’t take it as criticism (wrong word to use) but it did get me thinking. When I first built the prop rod it just fit into the original hole in the hood. I remembered that some of the guys had added a strap to keep the prop in place in case of wind at car shows. That’s when I added the hook to the end. I thought I would get by with a nice slotted hole but the prop wanted to slide to the top of the slot, making the hook potentially not grab when needed. By making the “L” shaped slot that problem was solved but it left a fairly large hole in the hood. I was honestly OK with the hole and planned to just clean it up some until you mentioned a bezel. I like it a lot better now. :)