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I have a 1950 Custom 4-door. The hood springs,( which are coiled like a watch spring) have gotten very weak and will not hold the hood up. Are there replacements available or is there any way to coil them tighter? I'm tired of holding it up with a broomstick.
Charles,
Checking in the NDC Library, I don't see the hood springs listed separately from the hinges.
The hinge part numbers are: 1346802 Right and 1346803 Left.
Used ones will likely have the same problems.
You may want to check with the vendors listed in the De Soto Adventures Classified section to see if they may have them. It wouldn't hurt to check ebay as well.
(Note: Their price on Feb. 1,1956 was $8.45 each and the 1950, 1951-2 models have different part numbers.)
You could look into adding a late model gas shock to help hold it up.
Happy De Sotoing!
Geoff
The springs are a pain in the butt on the 1949-1950 cars. Mine sag on the '49. Do not be fooled on eBay or elsewhere.
There was a kit that looks like long springs. But these are to "pull the rear" of the hood down when closed so the hood sits good on the wind lace. I should have put them in my car when it was apart, I have a NOS set. The hood on the rear does not sit flush. It was a running change with a tech sheet from Desoto. People sell the things and call them "hood springs". They are not. Only the little coils on the actual hinge are the springs.
Interestingly, there are 2 cross braces on some cars about 8 inches long and on some there is not. I have never figured out why? The hinge is different on the cars with them. I have a NOS single one that has the mounts for the brace. My care does not have them.
