Removing hood technique?

[Bleep Bleep]

Contemplating buying into the A12 community. In my mid 60s. No longer the stud … I never was.

I read through a post on the topic from several years ago. Before I pull the trigger on an A12 beauty I’m a bit cautious if this old dude can manage on/off solo. No one at home to assist.

They are obviously badass beast beauties. But need to be honest with my own limitations. Ideas for the best lift off, reset technique to prevent damage to anywhere?
Thanks!

 

[ruffcut]

Even with two peop[e accidents can happen . Sounds like you already know the answer. If you can handle the hood solo at this point, how many years before you can't?
Yes, those A12's are cool, and I've had and still have a lift off glass hood on my 63 and still handle it myself at 73 yrs old, but there are paint chips evident also from misalignment when installing the hood.
If you still find you just gotta have the car, then go to it and have a blast!

 

[moparedtn]

I always stood dead in front of the car and reached into the mouth of the scoop, getting a big handful of the
bottom lip of the opening with one hand whilst grabbing the front edge of the hood with the other.
From there, it's a straight up lift-off motion. Easier to demonstrate than to describe, admittedly.
A quilt on the roof of the car was always positioned first to give a landing spot for the hood once removed.

 

[Rishi]

A hoist in the garage works for a buddy of mine. He has Parkinson's and a little shakey on his feet, sometimes. He uses a hoist (pulleys and 1/4-inch rope) over the engine bay of the garage to lift the hood on and off.

 

[gkent]

Depends, are you a 100 lb weakling ?? I'm 72. I can easily remove the 'glass hood off of my '69 RR. Its a "bolt on" so its actually heavier than the original lift-off.

Most guys lift from the scoop but I've noticed that causes issues with cracking.

With 4 pins the hood will contact the pins first if you're aim is off a bit so damage to the surrounding surfaces is usually not an issue.

Two people sure minimizes issues.

Outdoors - DO NOT set the hood on the car roof - yeah it looks racy and cool - also blows off with the slightest breeze! Likewise, if you use hood support rods at shows, etc, make sure they pin at both top and bottom - same issue with breeze.

Roof storage seems to be the safest place when indoors however, with my last 'glass hood I had two pins on a wall bracket that I could hang the hood on. Getting it on the roof alone is no easy task.

 

[PurpleBeeper]

Contemplating buying into the A12 community. In my mid 60s. No longer the stud … I never was.

I read through a post on the topic from several years ago. Before I pull the trigger on an A12 beauty I’m a bit cautious if this old dude can manage on/off solo. No one at home to assist.

They are obviously badass beast beauties. But need to be honest with my own limitations. Ideas for the best lift off, reset technique to prevent damage to anywhere?
Thanks!

Hey, I swear somewhere I’ve seen fiberglass six pack hoods (aftermarket) with hinges….that would be my suggestion. Just leave off the back two hood pins

 

[Don Frelier]

 

[Bleep Bleep]

Even with two peop[e accidents can happen . Sounds like you already know the answer. If you can handle the hood solo at this point, how many years before you can't?
Yes, those A12's are cool, and I've had and still have a lift off glass hood on my 63 and still handle it myself at 73 yrs old, but there are paint chips evident also from misalignment when installing the hood.
If you still find you just gotta have the car, then go to it and have a blast!

Any damage is the biggest concern. With the current market impacting value is mostly a non/starter - for the limited pockets I have. It’s a valid consideration I accept and possibly a reason to go a different direction. Not giving up just yet.

 

[Bleep Bleep]

A hoist in the garage works for a buddy of mine. He has Parkinson's and a little shakey on his feet, sometimes. He uses a hoist (pulleys and 1/4-inch rope) over the engine bay of the garage to lift the hood on and off.

Thanks. Creative, just not an option for me. Great idea though.

 

[Bleep Bleep]

Depends, are you a 100 lb weakling ?? I'm 72. I can easily remove the 'glass hood off of my '69 RR. Its a "bolt on" so its actually heavier than the original lift-off.

Most guys lift from the scoop but I've noticed that causes issues with cracking.

With 4 pins the hood will contact the pins first if you're aim is off a bit so damage to the surrounding surfaces is usually not an issue.

Two people sure minimizes issues.

Outdoors - DO NOT set the hood on the car roof - yeah it looks racy and cool - also blows off with the slightest breeze! Likewise, if you use hood support rods at shows, etc, make sure they pin at both top and bottom - same issue with breeze.

Roof storage seems to be the safest place when indoors however, with my last 'glass hood I had two pins on a wall bracket that I could hang the hood on. Getting it on the roof alone is no easy task.

Well. 190 lb 6 ft ish (shrinking every day) so dimension wise prob ok. How tight a fit the pins areay help or make it more difficult I would assume. What’s the experience on that?

I saw one reply on the earlier thread of using pin extensions to slightly raise the contact point. ‘hitting the hole’ a little easier. I think they were around 2” or so. If anyone has used similar are something available aftermarket?

Thanks for the cautions and suggestions for outdoors.

 

[Bleep Bleep]

Hey, I swear somewhere I’ve seen fiberglass six pack hoods (aftermarket) with hinges….that would be my suggestion. Just leave off the back two hood pins

Practical. Would be relatively easy to remove for resale to a purse buyer I guess. P

 

[Bleep Bleep]

All great feedback gentlemen. Thanks!

 

[WileE]

This works for me, even at my age. Get thin carpet material and cut it into strips a few inches wide, insert into to hood-fender gap & hood-cowl gap, then tape into place ( protection in case of mistake ). From directly in front of car, lift up hood, then grab both sides of hood. With it pressed into your firm abs, lift it up and remove. Do not lift from scoop. Place it down nearby on it's side end on a soft/padded/carpet area rug. When you re-install, you can temporarily rest it on the pins until you maneuver it into the holes.

 

[68BabyBlue]

But need to be honest with my own limitations.

Interesting to see the A12 hood issue raised. I never considered it an issue in your case, but I guess we see things from our own unique lens, shaped by experience. I see the four speed as more of a potential problem, but that's been shaped by my own experience, and the fact that I've seen so many younger folks around me having serious issues with their hips and knees. On the other hand, it's easy to trade down from a four speed to an automatic if the need arises.

 

[Dave6T4]

When replacing hood, carefully settle it on the front pins first, then lower onto rear pins.

 

[moparwacko]

I have one of these Jeep hardtop winch things. It would be relatively easy to make some brackets to adapt to an A12 hood. And if I happen to come across one, I will use it.

Jeep hardtop are several hundred pounds, so I don't see an issue with weight.

 

[Bleep Bleep]

I’d think there’s a specific low residue tape you use?

Hmmm. What about high quality fender covers used on both sides to work over each side of the fenders for a similar concept?

Can the hood be raised slightly enough one side at a time to slip the fender cover underneath before raising the hood completely?

 

[Bleep Bleep]

View attachment 1768922

Classic!

 

[WileE]

When replacing hood, carefully settle it on the front pins first, then lower onto rear pins.

Hmm... interesting. When I do mine, I rest the hood on the rear pins in the vicinity, then guide it onto the rear pins, which then I lower over the front pins.

 

[WileE]

I’d think there’s a specific low residue tape you use?

Hmmm. What about high quality fender covers used on both sides to work over each side of the fenders for a similar concept?

Can the hood be raised slightly enough one side at a time to slip the fender cover underneath before raising the hood completely?

Masking tape just to hold in place. You can get thin, felt-type carpet material at a home depot or lowes, cheap stuff. I've done my method for decades.