Hood pins
 

Were hood pins a factory option? Or did they come factory on the SS cars?? Or is it just a popular after market modification?
Are people with hood pins still using the latch in the center?

They became part of the SS package on the 70 SS. Early 70 SS did not include the hood pins. Later they were standard on the SS and remained that way through 72. You still need the hood latch, the pins were kind of a safety thing when racing. They would keep the hood down if the latch failed. In reality I think they just added them because they looked cool.

Without the latch the hood would be jumping up and down against the pins.

I think hood pins only came with cow induction. Moo.

The SS came with a 'domed' hood. Functional cowl induction, the little flapper door, was always an option. Domed hood or functional cowl induction, both came with hood pins.

Sorry Hank,I disagree about the hood pins.

I guess I will chime in on this one, This is what I found from some research a while back.

1969 and back - Not available

1970 - Hold Down Pins came only with the Cowl Induction Hood (with the flapper door) not the plain doomed hood.

1971-72 - Hoods pin came as part of the SS option package on both the doomed and cowl induction hoods.

Ray

I knew I was right,if we were talking 1970.:)

Sorry,in Garys world there are no other years.:p J/KWaving

Ok, we're talking 70-72 only. My research says hood pins were optional on early 70 SS then became standard on later 70 SS through 72. We'll sort this out later because in the bigger scheme of things it's just not that important to me. If I'm wrong, I'm wrong, sure it's the first time but who knows, could happen again. :D

EDIT: One source, read the end of the section on 1970 SS. Actually I really don't care and don't care to piss anyone off. I'm just stating what I've read.

http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html

I'm no expert on the subject, and I'm with you Hank I don't really care one way or the other. If you like them put them on. I like the look with them on. You would never piss anyone off on here. We are here to learn and help each other.
Ray

This is from Dales site on how iden an SS (ChevelleStuff) Looks like two different opinions, so now it got me wondering what is correct.


This brings us to RPO ZL2, the cowl induction hood option. D88 Hood & Deck Stripes were part of this option package. Therefore the stripes could be deleted on request, and often times was. The third part of the ZL2 cowl induction hood package were the hood pins. Contrary to other reports, hood pins were only available with the ZL2 option package. Hood pins did not come standard on the SS domed hoods and did not carry a separate RPO number that would make them available to other 1970 Chevelles.

This brings up a whole new question. There are three different hoods? A standard flat, the one that looks like a cowl induction, and a actual functioning cowl induction? Are there kits available to convert a non functioning cowl induction to a functioning ?

I haven't heard of one. Not sure it would be worth the effort, cheaper to just get another hood. You'd have to cut open the hood, weld in all the brackets for the two doors, vacuum pod, solenoid, etc.

Got a link to were the functioning hood is available?

Any vendor would sell the hood. Ground up, OPI, True Connections,just to name a few. If you have classic car vendor in your area you can save on shipping, plus you can inspect the hood before you take it home.
Ray

So this would be a used purchase?

see if you guys would have bought a 69 this would not be a issue...we had two hoods.....plus they look better.

:ntwrthy: I couldn't agree more. :p

No those would be new. You can search craigslist if you want an original GM hood. I see them there every now and then. Price will depend on condition.

Year One has a online catalog ... I figured it out once and came to the conclusion I would have a grand tied up in a functional cowl induction hood with all the pieces and parts (plus shipping) ... still needing paint ... Year One, give 'em your CC numbers and they will send you whatever you need LOL

The last time I saw a original hood for sale they want well over a $1000 for it.

Ray

I've seen them for a lot less. Not with all the cowl induction hardware, just the hood.

My price, $1,000 is new re-pop (plus shipping).

That for a hood funtioning?

Try AMD, they are working very hard to have the best quality and closest to original reproduction sheet metal parts.:D
http://autometaldirect.com/ListItems...Hood/Hood.aspx

http://www.chevelles.com/shop/ss_ident.html

While a good overall reference page there are some errors. For example under 1971 it states, "For 1971, there were two SS packages. One was the SS-454, and the other was simply the "SS" (available with either the 402, 350-4, or 350-2 engine). The unusual "Malibu 400" package was also available on the non-SS Chevelle and El Camino. It utilized the LS3 402 motor."

There was only ONE SS package available in 71 (and 72), that being RPO Z15. It is true that only when the 454 engine was ordered was the engine size added to the badging.

No such thing as a "Malibu 400" package any more than there was a "Malibu 350" package. In both cases the engine size was added to the Malibu script on the fender but there was nothing "special" about ordering the LS3 over the L48 or L65 as far as any equipment is concerned. Not sure about 71 & 72 but in 1970 the LS3 could be ordered in any series and any body style.

As for the hood pins, I've never seen a 1970 SS396 or SS454 with hood pins UNLESS it was ordered with the ZL2 hood. Hood pins were part of the ZL2 hood package just like hood & deck stripes and not part of either SS option. In 71 & 72 hood pins were part of the (single) SS option and therefore should be on every 71 or 72 SS regardless of engine or hood.

Hood pins cowl induction hood
 

I'm really going to stir up some stuff with this one. I recently purchased a 72 gmc sprint at auction. The guy built it over the years from what I learned from the 80-90s. Was a combination of a chevelle, an el camino, And the sprint.. I never realized till I got home.. Functional cowl Induction hood.. NO HOOD PINS.. Not a modified hood as everything is where it should be.. And if you can make a non ci hood functional without me knowing it.. id be amazed. I always thought all 70s with CI had hood pins.. I had heard early 70 did not have pins.. Never seen it.. Ill post some pics when I get back out in the shop.