Any lift off hood dislikes

[440beep]

For those with real lift off hoods, NOT HINGED, do you ever dislike the lift off hood. I’m one step away from pulling the trigger on a lift off hood, but I’m considering everything before pulling.

I figure when I’m actively messing with the engine, I’ll just leave the hood off while test driving it, plus get the cool factor.

But have any of you lift off hood guys been in a restaurant parking lot, grocery store or gas station and someone says “awesome car! What’s in it?!?” For me currently, it’s easy just opening up the hinged hood and showing the engine. But with a lift off, guess it just takes longer if you really want to show the motor off.

 

[dfrazz]

I don't have a lift off hood, but have a few friends that do and have helped them at shows and in garages. These hoods are a PITA and usually require two people to take off/put on and then you have to find a place for it that will not let it get damaged. I have seen hood propped on the rods go flying in the wind and get knocked off roofs at shows and in garages. I have also seen guys try to solo lift off hoods that crack the fiberglass. So unless you have an A12 car or are looking for the "cool-factor", I think they are more of a pain than they are worth.

 

[BeeFast]

When the hood is down it doesn't matter if it's lift off or hinged. Cool factor, yes.

 

[33 IMP]

I have one car with no hood (the valve covers are higher than the fenders) and two cars with lift-off hoods.
Neither has ever caused any problems. One is primarily a racecar, the other an A12.
Still, unless there is a good reason for a lift-off, hinges are more convenient and easier on your back.
In my humble opinion, unless you are trying to build a really good A12 clone, or a very light primarily race car (race weight glass), go with a hinged hood. You won't regret it.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I have never owned one, but my 2 cents would say no. I would worry about cracking or dinging up the hood.

 

[Armyvet25]

I once owned a 57 Chevy with a lift off...wait for it...full fiberglass front clip, talk about a pain. Lift off hood would most likely be made of fiberglass or some combination of a light material, might not be so bad, if you really want it, don't listen to us, do what makes you happy!!

 

[dan juhasz]

its the only thing I dislike with my A12, it's an age thing too, if I was younger probably wouldn't bother me

 

[padam]

I have a lift off hood on my 73 Charger. Even though it’s supposed to be light weight, it’s still pretty hefty. At my age it’s getting to be a pain.

It’s on my to do list to put it on hinges.

 

[Armyvet25]

How about 4 hood hinge pins to look like a lift off, but hinged and the two rear fake...if it's only looks your after, but i kinda like when they have the 4 hood pins extended and hood sits on them at some car events

 

[gkent]

I have a "hinged" glass hood - A12 style. Problem is no manufacturer beefs them up enough on the underside so **** happens. As for a full lift off, been there/done that too. A royal PITA !! Tell me what you think after you've gone to a car show on a windy day. Never mind wind, a slight breeze is enough to wreck a hood !!

If you have the option, stick with a hinged steel hood. If the car is decent you'll get just as much attention without all the hassle. I don't have the luxury !

 

[33 IMP]

I have a lift off hood on my 73 Charger. Even though it’s supposed to be light weight, it’s still pretty hefty. At my age it’s getting to be a pain.

It’s on my to do list to put it on hinges.

Have you weighed it?
My real A12 is about 35 lbs, my steel 62 hood is around 75, and I think my Tina's gutted STEEL hood is around 20 lbs.
I'm curious what that monster 73 hood weighs. (If I DO get a glass hood for my 62, since it's unlikely to be race weight, I will make sure it's hinged!)

 

[icetech]

Had a lift off on my challenger.. honestly i would never do it again... i found it to be a pain in the *** and not worth it.. same with removing heater (that really sucked) unless it's a full race car that every pound counts, i would leave it.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

don't listen to us, do what makes you happy!!

This ^^^

 

[BeeFast]

Buy a race weight super stock six pack hood. You can take it off with one hand. Ask me how I know.

 

[padam]

Have you weighed it?
My real A12 is about 35 lbs, my steel 62 hood is around 75, and I think my Tina's gutted STEEL hood is around 20 lbs.
I'm curious what that monster 73 hood weighs. (If I DO get a glass hood for my 62, since it's unlikely to be race weight, I will make sure it's hinged!)

I have weighed it before, but don’t remember the numbers. I think it was 50 lbs lighter than the steel hood. Maybe another 10 pounds for the hinges.

 

[dvw]

My racecar has a lift off. In fact it's had 2. One fiberglass, one carbon fiber. Neither are tough. I race mainly by myself. Probably have the hood on/off 15-20 times a weekend. Doesn't bother me a bit. But I'm still a youngster, 70.
Doug

 

[70bigblockdodge]

They can be a PITA when having issues, or you just want to check oil, coolant, whatever. My son's @SUPER BEE-TER is a no name one bought out of swap at Nats and I have to say it is a really good piece, not race weight for sure, not 35 pounds either, but very stable on the highway at 70-90 mph for hours. They are also a pain like when we had it on the dyno on power tour, finding a place to lean it and not get stepped on or knocked around was a thing.
It is pretty cool when at a gas station and non car people see you disassembling your car at the pump.

 

[440beep]

Thankfully I’m still a young 55, so the hood shouldn’t be a problem. Logistics with the hood is the big down side. Maybe I’ll just keep my hinged steel hood with the six pack scoop spliced on.

 

[CoronetDarter]

Thankfully I’m still a young 55, so the hood shouldn’t be a problem. Logistics with the hood is the big down side. Maybe I’ll just keep my hinged steel hood with the six pack scoop spliced on.

I have the fiberglass 6 pack hood from AAR Fiberglass with hinges and front hood pins. It's just as convenient as a steel hood. Just don't forget to reinstall the hood pins! One time I forgot and got up to about 5 mph when the hood started shaking, thankfully I shut it down in time.
Fiberglass hoods require lighter springs. The CSC C-273 springs are commonly used by B Body members.

 

[gkent]

same with removing heater

AMEN to that one !!

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say racers are a little less caring about their stuff than the "street" guys. A racer's objective is to go fast and win - if it means the hood blows over while he's checking valve lash, so be it. On the other hand if a "street" guys car is dead he's like "don't let those jumper cables touch the fenders" !!!