Hood Hinge Rebuild

[JpRngr]

Is there anywhere to get replacement oversized rivets for rebuilding the hood hinges? I saw an old thread referring to somewhere on e-bay, but couldn't find any. Not wanting to spend a couple hundred bucks on something I should be able to do myself.

Corey

[Skunkworks Challenger]

I tried to find over sized rivets but could not when restoring my Challenger.  Instead, since I have a lathe, I turned some bronze bushings after drilling the holes larger and used my old rivets.  I ground the small ends off the rivets to remove them then when reassembling I welded them in place.  Hinges work good as new!.
 You might want to make sure your gear teeth are good if you have the early hinges.  They can be built up with weld and ground to fit.

[moparman82]

I struck out also

[JpRngr]

Sorry, should have specified this was on a '74 Challenger, so no teeth. How difficult would it be to have some made, or how much should it cost?

[johannes]

Can you weld the holes smaller,then grind to make the bores into a tight fit?
Then weld the old rivets back on?
 

[dutch]

Can you weld the holes smaller,then grind to make the bores into a tight fit?
Then weld the old rivets back on?
 

you`re gonna have a hard time drilling the hole in the exact same spot.
I made new rivets for mine. I think it was about 3-4 hrs work to make them. It does come in handy if you know how to handle a hammer when rivetting them though. Precision work with a 3or4# hammer   

[brads70]

Sorry, should have specified this was on a '74 Challenger, so no teeth. How difficult would it be to have some made, or how much should it cost?

maybe try a local industrial bearing supplier? They have various bushings available.

[grimmey71]

I saw these the other day and what the heck Cuda hinges
http://www.sgs-engineering.com/gas-struts/bed-hinge-mechanism/non-locking-bed-mechanism

[johns cuda shop]

you`re gonna have a hard time drilling the hole in the exact same spot.
I made new rivets for mine. I think it was about 3-4 hrs work to make them. It does come in handy if you know how to handle a hammer when rivetting them though. Precision work with a 3or4# hammer   

.I much rather use the original equipment hinges if you can, I am sure reproduction hinges dont fit as well. You will need to ream the holes oversize, probably the next nominal size bigger, then make the rivits in a lathe .001 over the size of the reamer for a nice slip fit.

[dutch]

   I cant remember how long the I made the part of the rivet that you actually hammer down...    I do remember that is important to have correct though....   I used   Chromium-molybdenum steel for the rivets. It will last and can still be rivetted.
like new... 

[burdar]

Are you sure the hinges need to be rebuilt?  If you're having to push the back of the hood down after it's closed, that's an adjustment issue.

[dutch]

actually.... that`s a pretty good question.... 

[MEK-Dangerfield]

I once had issues with the back of the hood staying up. All it took was oiling all joints and that fixed my problem. I didn't even need to adjust it.

[JpRngr]

Are you sure the hinges need to be rebuilt?  If you're having to push the back of the hood down after it's closed, that's an adjustment issue.

Most definitely. Have the hinges off and springs removed, Tons of excessive play in the rivets.


Probably end up tearing them apart and seeing what I can come up with.



Corey