Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

[Dennis H.]

Hi

l'm looking for a used OEM hood for my 1971 SB Coupe and it would appear not all 68-72 SB hoods are the same. All the vendors list hoods as 68-69 and 70-72 but I'm also finding out that the 71 and 72 hoods are different at the hood prop location area.

From a OEM Hood perspective what years should I be looking for for this 71?

thanks
Dennis

[Joe L.]

Re: Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

Hi

l'm looking for a used OEM hood for my 1971 SB Coupe and it would appear not all 68-72 SB hoods are the same. All the vendors list hoods as 68-69 and 70-72 but I'm also finding out that the 71 and 72 hoods are different at the hood prop location area.

From a OEM Hood perspective what years should I be looking for for this 71?

thanks
Dennis

Dennis------


Yes, all 1968-72 small block hoods are not the same. You require a hood from a very late 1969 through 1971. The earlier hoods have differences involving the lock plate mounting and cross cable. You can use the earlier hood, though, if you also change the lock plates, cross cable, and lock bolts to the earlier style. For 1972 the hood support design was changed and its mounting location on the hood also changed. However, I believe that some SERVICE hoods have dual mounting locations. I don't know if any of these were ever used in PRODUCTION, though.

[Dennis H.]

Re: Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

Thanks Joe that clears up a lot of confusion on my part.

Dennis

[Anthony F.]

Re: Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

I learned a lot about hood/prop location several years ago while looking for a hood for my 72. Joe, as always, is absolutely correct. Finding an original LT-1 hood in decent condition for a 72 is a little harder, as it is a one-year item. I ended up using a company in Pennsylvania, Fiber Concepts, to build a hood for me. Most (maybe all) service replacement and aftermarket hoods are of the 'two mounting location' variety. Fiber Concepts made my hood, and per my request, eliminated the pre-72 mounting location so it was original as possible. It is not press-molded, but they did finish the underside of the hood to at least 'look' correct.

Of course, if you are trying to be totally original, this is not an option for you. Just be careful when looking for an original hood, as I found sellers ( like those found on eBay ), don't know what they are actually selling and will list a hood as '68 through 72'. Or they may be selling a service replacement as original or NOS. The website for Fiber Concepts is:

http://www.fiberpartsconcepts.com/

There may be others who will do this service, so if you decide on purchasing an aftermarket hood, check around.

[Dennis H.]

Re: Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

Anthony, very true statement.

Example on EBay from a Corvette Vendor

68 69 70 71 72 Corvette SB Hood---Originall GM Press Molded---"Short Style"--NCRS

This was removed several years ago from a low mileage 72

Very well preserved---painted in White! You won't be disappointed!!! *****NO RESERVE*****

[Ed D.]

Re: Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

When looking for a used hood, I would try for a car that did not have AC, as the oil thrown from the compressor, permeates the fiberglass and wont except paint or long
Ed

[Jim T.]

Re: Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

Ed do you know of any procedure to use on a hood that is used on a air conditioned Corvette that experienced the compressor oil sling?

[Ed D.]

Re: Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

In speaking to very experienced fiberglass and paint people thru the years, everyone tell me it is impossible to get the oil out of the fiberglass. Apparently the oil keeps coming thru as the underhood heat drives the oil to the surface and bubbles the paint.
Ed

[Mike E.]

Re: Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

Ed,
Not disagreeing with you at all, but wanting to qualify your statement. Not all AC cars have thrown compressor oil on the underside of the hood. Some or many would be the correct adjective. Good counsel on your part!
Mike

[Ed D.]

Re: Differences between 68 thru 72 SB Hoods

Mike,
I agree that there are some A6 AC compressors that did not sling oil, but I think they are in the minority. If you guess wrong you have a problem for the life of the hood. If it were me, I think there are enough non AC hoods out there that its not worth the chance.
Ed