Author Topic: fiberglass hood a bad idea?  (Read 1171 times)

Offline cttnweary

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 31
fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« on: April 06, 2008 - 01:37:37 PM »
how many people have fiberglass hoods on their cars? are you satisfied on the quality or should I just stick with looking for a steel hood?




Offline Super Blue 72

  • Permanent Resident
  • *******
  • Posts: 12711
  • "Big 'n Little" Member since 8/9/05
    • Phil's Super Blue '72
Re: fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« Reply #1 on: April 06, 2008 - 02:07:30 PM »
I'm curious as well.   :popcorn:

Fiberglass as far as I have heard doesn't have the same fit and finish as it's steel counter part.  Fiberglass hood also may start to bow in the middle due to the hood spring tension, even with the lighter springs after a while.  I've seen some AAR Cuda and Challenger T/A cars pics with hood that have a little rise in the middle do to this.

You do save on weight though.
1972 Dodge Challenger Rallye 340, AT, Code TB3=Super Blue, SBD=8/17/1971.  Yes, a Rallye without the fender louvers from the factory because of the body side molding option.

Pic #2 and 3 of my ARII 1/24 scale model car 

Phil in New England-Massachusetts  Always thank God for what you have!

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/456046/1972-dodge-challenger

Offline OUTLAW

  • MASTER OF ALL THINGS MOPAR
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 1002
  • I didn't say you can't RACE--I said you can't WIN
    • MOPAR-MADNESS  WEB/FORUM
Re: fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2008 - 02:40:18 AM »
On the street stay with steel unless you get a real thick glass street hood, but then you don't save hardly any weight. The lighter race hoods have a poor fit usually and are prone to flexing and cracking. If you go glass anyway DON'T  use any springs (EVEN THE LIGHT SPRINGS SCREW UP THE HOOD IN TIME).

Offline Grancoupe

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 830
Re: fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« Reply #3 on: April 12, 2008 - 09:08:01 PM »
Totally agree with OUTLAW. Mine took a lot of work to get it to fit. Heavy too. Unless you go with an AAR hood, i would stay with steel.

Offline RaptorF229

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 599
  • A work in Progress
Re: fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« Reply #4 on: April 13, 2008 - 04:27:17 PM »
I have a fiberglass hood and there is a bow so its not flush with the fenders. I'm thinking of going back to my stock flat hood because it bothers me to look at it.

Offline Travis72

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 894
Re: fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« Reply #5 on: April 13, 2008 - 05:17:27 PM »
Raptor which fiberglass hood do you have?  It looks like from the pic it's a dual scoop one?

Thanks,
Travis
72 Cuda

Offline RaptorF229

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 599
  • A work in Progress
Re: fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« Reply #6 on: April 13, 2008 - 11:05:44 PM »
Yeah its the dual scoop. I bought it the day after I bought my car which was about 5 yrs ago. I think if the guy that painted my car could have made it fit a little better but by the time I got the car back I was about ready to choke the guy. I was just thankful that I got the car back painted. He took 2 yrs.

Offline Grancoupe

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 830
Re: fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2008 - 03:18:52 PM »
Hey Raptor, very interesting you mentioned the 2 year thing. The guy that did the work, his name wasn't Sammy was it, LOL. Mine took two years too.

Offline RaptorF229

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 599
  • A work in Progress
Re: fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2008 - 08:28:46 PM »
No it was a paint shop next to my Dad's transmission shop in Denver.

Offline Grancoupe

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 830
Re: fiberglass hood a bad idea?
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2008 - 09:15:21 PM »
Well i guess there are a lot of those types around.