Hood struts are missing

[gbrtng]

on both my 91s. Yep, I just noticed that after all these years. The connection points are there but no struts ... I remember my 84 and 86 had struts, so can anyone verify when they were omitted?

[Kevin]

my 90 doesn't have them either... I think 88ish is when they did away with them

[QB93Z]

Are you referring to the gas spring that holds the hood up?



Jim

[gbrtng]

Jim:

No, these gas springs are about 6" long and are mounted between the two headlight buckets. The main strut you are pointing at isn't a gas strut, just a prop - I think.

BTW, the MAD catalog has an install kit for 90 to 96 that uses the 84-89 gas springs - guess I should have looked there first.

Glenn

[Gunny]

I probably don't have all the info correct, so apologies in advance ...
84 had a scissor strut on the right side (I think)
85-? had the 2 gas cylinders (about 6" long) which replaced the scissor strut
somewhere around 88 or 89 the short cylinders were replaced with the single gas cylinder lift on the left side and as far as I know the connection points continued to the end of the C4.

You can buy the short gas cylinder lift kit from MAD, maybe Eklers & Corvette Central too. Be advised that the Corvette tax is alive & well on these little jewels.

Or you can go to Rock Auto and get the Sachs P/N SG430011 for $7.87 plus shipping. You will need a spring clip and washer for each end of each lift and you can find those at Lowes or Home Depot for around $1.00. The spring clip is rather small and I can't remember the exact size but can probably find it if you're unable to locate it.

Installation is rather simple ... compress the cylinder about 1/4" in order to slip it on the connector studs & install the washer/spring clip. Now compressing the cylinder is almost impossible unless you have some type of compression tool. Or you can make it really simple by having a helper or two hold the hood up, disconnect the long lift on the left side, raise the hood slightly while you install the 2 short lifts, then reconnect the long lift and you're done.

Anyway, I just installed two (in addition to the long lift support) and they work great. Let me know how it comes out.

George

[Z51JEFF]

As stated all C4s have the studs.I believe when the single strut cylinder was used the 2 small cylinders were not.I put both cylinders on my car in addition to the single strut cylinder,not a good idea.With the three cylinders in place the hood opens with such force I thought I might have damaged the hood.I removed one and it opens easier.To put these on I took off the main strut to open the hood enough to slip on the smaller struts.

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by Z51JEFF

As stated all C4s have the studs.I believe when the single strut cylinder was used the 2 small cylinders were not.I put both cylinders on my car in addition to the single strut cylinder,not a good idea.With the three cylinders in place the hood opens with such force I thought I might have damaged the hood.I removed one and it opens easier.To put these on I took off the main strut to open the hood enough to slip on the smaller struts.

Great minds think alike Jeff. I did this mod as well However my 91 did not come with the studs so I had to find a donor from another C4 as I thought this was a great idea. I went with one only as well as if you go with two Jeff tells no lie you can storm the castle with a ZR-1 catapault. End result is a much easier opening hood with a "Security" factor if the main hood prop fails. I bought the Rockauto $7 unit. Works great

[GOLDCYLON]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

Great minds think alike Jeff. I did this mod as well However my 91 did not come with the studs so I had to find a donor from another C4 as I thought this was a great idea. I went with one only as well as if you go with two Jeff tells no lie you can storm the castle with a ZR-1 catapault. End result is a much easier opening hood with a "Security" factor if the main hood prop fails. I bought the Rockauto $7 unit. Works great

I snapped a few photos of my setup, Most folks unless they are early C4 owners will never notice this on your ZR-1. If you plan on doing this mod I suggest using the passenger side for the install. Your hood is already supported on the driver side by the hood prop support. This passenger side mod will alow you to balance the load of the hood. Beleive me this little shock works great

[Z51JEFF]

Originally Posted by GOLDCYLON

I went with one only as well as if you go with two Jeff tells no lie you can storm the castle with a ZR-1 catapult.

First time I opened the hood with all 3 in place I thought the hood would keep going until it hit the ground.