anti-fall prop key

[edram454]

I just recently purchased a clever little device custom made by our resident aluminum-smith Carter200 that when placed in the hydraulic hood-prop, guarantees that our heavy clam-shell hoods dont come slamming down on our cars causing much damage and possible injury.

Our cars are all over 20 years old and most of our hood props dont truly operate as they should and lock in place. I had mine recently at a performance shop and while the hood was propped up, the locked feature failed due to a old spring and my hood came crashing down hitting a aluminum piece which in turn destroyed my original zr1 windshield. I lost my original windshield because of the hood prop not locking in place. I replaced my original windshield with a regular c4 piece and bought another hood prop and that one too has a weak spring inside not letting it lock correctly. Carter200 devised a anti-fall prop key that wedges in place when the hood is up making it impossible for the hood to become unlocked and come crashing down on your car or whatever is in the way. This little piece is worth its weight in gold and I would have paid to have it made out of solid gold if it would have saved my original non-delaminated windshield.

It is a very inexpensive fix for a very expensive accident that can happen to any of us who leave our hoods open in our garages, car shows etc... since we always like showing our engines it is a must.

I would like to thank Carter200 for all the custom engine pieces he makes for the ZR-1 owners and devices that helps us keep our cars looking and functioning great.

I highly recommend a anti-fall prop key. I wish i had it sooner.


ed ramos #3028=D>

[secondchance]

I had same thing happen to me but, luckily, with no damage. What happens is out clam shell hood is like a sail. On a windy day, wind pushes and lifts the hood. When the windy velocity drops, hood comes back down the force is such that strut offset gets overridden allowing the hood to slam down.
Agree Carter's solution is brilliant!

[carter200]

Dredgeguy you have a PM .....

[George Maz]

A must have, I'll take one.

God forbid the hood falls and hurts a kid admiring the Corvette LT5 at a car show. I'd never forgive myself for not installing one of these. This is peace of mind, when you've walked away from your car.

[carter200]

A must have, I'll take one.

George PM me your shipping info and I'll give you payment info.......:cheers:

[Z51JEFF]

Got mine in the fist run,thanks Carter! Years ago I was outside working on my 84 at the time. The 84 early 86s had the scissor type hood stay. I'm under the hood and happen to look over and I see to wind has pushed the hood forward and the hood stay is about to fold back making me a Corvette samich. From that day on I would always tape the hood stay to keep it latched. I can't imagine the damage that might cause to ones body if that hood came crashing down,wouldnt feel good that's fur sure.

[carter200]

Jeff,
Thanks for getting in on the first buy way back when. There is a whole new crop of owners that are not aware of this safety item I have for sale. Take care, Carter

[Roadster]

Hello Carter, I would like one also, let me know cost and how to pay
thanks.........Tom

[carter200]

Tom,
You have a PM

[carter200]

A must have, I'll take one.

Received payment and will be shipping out to you tomorrow.....:dancing

[carter200]

Charlie (Dredgeguy),
Got you down for 3. Will send soon as check arrives. Thanks for your support, Carter :cheers:

[Racinfan83]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/Racinfan83/Erics%20ZR-1%20Vette/20130809_150946.jpg

[carter200]

Racinfan 83,
Nice pic! That is the anti-fall hood prop key with the optional hole for key ring or ? The standard prop key is $20 and with the hole is $25. Thanks again for posting a great shot of the prop key in action......:cheers:

[Hib Halverson]

On this hood-prop thing....

I have one, new OE hood support. PN 10175784 "Strut Assy" in my Barney parts stock.

Various on-line GM parts vendors have it for about 80 bucks.

I'll sell mind for 70 bucks plus shipping and PayPal fee.

email me at finspeed@nemotive.net if you're interested.

[Dynomite]

On this hood-prop thing....

I have one, new OE hood support. PN 10175784 "Strut Assy" in my Barney parts stock.

Various on-line GM parts vendors have it for about 80 bucks.

I'll sell mind for 70 bucks plus shipping and PayPal fee.

email me at finspeed@nemotive.net if you're interested.

Yep.....not only can the hood be raised with less effort, the hood will stay in place by itself with no issues with a New "Strut Assy". The bit more expensive Solution than this key :p

http://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/A%20Corvette%20LT5%2090/24702d42-a2fc-4eb8-8ea1-aba8014c3133.jpghttp://i287.photobucket.com/albums/ll142/dynomite007/A%20Corvette%20LT5%2090/a34f1c31-e1a1-45d9-b5e2-36880e73c40b.jpg

[carter200]

Tom,
Thanks and I'll have it in the mail ASAP

[GOLDCYLON]

Carter drill a couple of holes in mine as pictured above. I want to tag it so I don't forget it as well. Thanks GC

[RussMcB]

Where are you guys keeping/storing these anti-fall prop keys when not in use? Is there a handy place for them?

[GOLDCYLON]

Where are you guys keeping/storing these anti-fall prop keys when not in use? Is there a handy place for them?

Console, Glove box (If Available) or those trusty arm rest storage areas (if available) would be my choices

[GOLDCYLON]

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i178/Racinfan83/Erics%20ZR-1%20Vette/20130809_150946.jpg


Love this idea, Will remind me to pull before attempting to close the hood

[carter200]

Console, Glove box (If Available) or those trusty arm rest storage areas (if available) would be my choices
Some are keeping them in the ash tray, too.

[carter200]

Carter drill a couple of holes in mine as pictured above. I want to tag it so I don't forget it as well. Thanks GC

You have a PM about this.......

[Racinfan83]

Here is an EBay link to one of the tags. This is first one I saw - probably find em cheaper if you search....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RED-White-Remove-Before-Flight-Embroidered-Canvas-Luggage-Tag-Label-Key-Chain/121904998031?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D 1%26asc%3D36501%26meid%3Dd1737aec4aca44339805c267b fad96b9%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26

And yes I keep mine in the console. I actually had the wind catch my hood and drop it while setting up for a show last fall - before I had the anti-fall key in it. So it is a must have!

[32valvesftw]

Carter please sign me up too. Thx

[carter200]

Carter please sign me up too. Thx


You have a PM.

[Dynomite]

Here is an EBay link to one of the tags. This is first one I saw - probably find em cheaper if you search....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RED-White-Remove-Before-Flight-Embroidered-Canvas-Luggage-Tag-Label-Key-Chain/121904998031?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D 1%26asc%3D36501%26meid%3Dd1737aec4aca44339805c267b fad96b9%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26

And yes I keep mine in the console. I actually had the wind catch my hood and drop it while setting up for a show last fall - before I had the anti-fall key in it. So it is a must have!

The tags "REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT" are so cool.....I should put one of those under the hood for each time I work on the engine as a reminder to remove all tools :D

[carter200]

Wayne,
You have a PM.

[carter200]

Charlie,
Check received, thanks.

[GOLDCYLON]

Here is an EBay link to one of the tags. This is first one I saw - probably find em cheaper if you search....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RED-White-Remove-Before-Flight-Embroidered-Canvas-Luggage-Tag-Label-Key-Chain/121904998031?_trksid=p2045573.c100505.m3226&_trkparms=aid%3D555014%26algo%3DPL.DEFAULT%26ao%3D 1%26asc%3D36501%26meid%3Dd1737aec4aca44339805c267b fad96b9%26pid%3D100505%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D1%26

And yes I keep mine in the console. I actually had the wind catch my hood and drop it while setting up for a show last fall - before I had the anti-fall key in it. So it is a must have!


Thanks here is the one I ordered. I paid a little more as they came from CA vs. China and I like the Triangle end

http://www.ebay.com/itm/QTY-1-New-RED-WHITE-REMOVE-BEFORE-FLIGHT-AVIATION-TAGS-US-Seller-/161973169631?hash=item25b65a6ddf:g:eLYAAOSw~OVW1S0 v

[Dynomite]

Thanks here is the one I ordered. I paid a little more as they came from CA vs. China and I like the Triangle end

http://www.ebay.com/itm/QTY-1-New-RED-WHITE-REMOVE-BEFORE-FLIGHT-AVIATION-TAGS-US-Seller-/161973169631?hash=item25b65a6ddf:g:eLYAAOSw~OVW1S0 v


REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT (http://www.ebay.com/itm/161885528892?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

I kinda like them as key chains......;)
Hard to lose key and does not bother when key is in ignition.
A reminder NOT to leave key in ignition :D

[GOLDCYLON]

REMOVE BEFORE FLIGHT (http://www.ebay.com/itm/161885528892?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

I kinda like them as key chains......;)
Hard to lose key and does not bother when key is in ignition.
A reminder NOT to leave key in ignition :D

Would be appropriate for the power key as well for those secondary equipped lol :cheers:

[dredgeguy]

Carter, package with the 3 units arrived today. Outstanding!! And in time for me to take to MR4 and BG:handshak:

[GOLDCYLON]

Carter I received mine today. Thanks GC

[BlackZR1]

Carter, received mine yesterday.
Nice surface finish as usual. Fits well.

Thanks,
Roger

[carter200]

Thanks Ken (KGV) from Germany for ordering one with the hole. Received payment and will mail out tomorrow.


BlackZR1, Dredgeguy and yes, you too, GC thanks for the kind words and for your support. Please pass on the word to all your C4 friends about the prop key.

[Roadster]

Thanks Carter, mine came the other day.......great piece.....thx....

[carter200]

Phil,
Payment received and will mail out prop key with hole on Monday. Thanks :handshak:

[carter200]

Dave S.,
Payment received and will mail out prop key with hole on Monday. Thanks :cheers:

[carter200]

IF you do not have the Anti-fall hood prop key then think seriously about getting one. They can save you or someone else from bodily harm. If you already have bought one, thanks and please pass on to other C4 the importance of having one..............

[carter200]

ZR1Talo you have a PM. Thanks, Carter

[carter200]

ZR1talo received payment and will mail out to you on Friday (tomorrow).......thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using ZR-1 Net Registry (https://siteowners.tapatalk.com/byo/displayAndDownloadByoApp?rid=90383)

[8cam]

Nice idea. Just curious, how did the hood prop design evolve? Mine is early and is just two tubes with an offset spring. It works well, but the other day when I was doing my roadside belt replacement I bumped the prop and knocked it free. Luckily I was right under the hood so it didn't really fall. I've always thought it was a little silly to just sit there on an offset tube without a real lock. I know later they added an orange tab for visibility, did they actually add a positive lock too?

[carter200]

The idea for a safety mechanism to stop the hood from falling, no matter what, came to me as there were too many people that were having the hoods fall from wind, accidental bumping, careless people at shows, etc.
I went thru the prototype phase using my 95 as a mule. Later applied for a patent and the rest is history.
I have helped many, many people become safer around their open clam shells and hope the word spread to keep even more out of danger. Getting chomped by the clam shell while working under it would ruin your day, for sure. Thanks for asking and please pass the word to other C4 owners, later, Carter

[carter200]

Russ, you have a PM.

[RussMcB]

Russ, you have a PM.Thank you. Paypal sent.

[Racinfan83]

Mark mine had the orange thing in it when I got it - but being brittle plastic it broke soon after. I got one of Carter's Anti-fall devices soon afterward. Use it always. My hood came down on me ONCE and that was at a show when I popped it up when I first got there without putting the prop key in it. Learned my lesson then and there. Key is in my hand when I open the hood now. Get the one with the hole in it and hang a tag off it so you don/t forget to take it out... Well worth it and I get lots of comments on it at shows as well...:cheers:

[carter200]

Thank you. Paypal sent.

Russ,
Payment received and will have your anti-fall hood prop key in the mail on Monday.

Racinfan83,
Thanks for the support and glad you are using your prop key all the time now. Maybe it'll get you a few points during the car shows, too.

Thanks again, Carter

[carter200]

Al,
You have a PM about a anti-fall prop key.

[carter200]

AL,
Payment received on a anti-fall prop key with hole. Will go out to you in the mail Thursday, thanks :fahne: