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

[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]

Originally Posted by George Maz

A must have, I'll take one.

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

[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]

Originally Posted by George Maz

A must have, I'll take one.

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

[carter200]

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

[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.

[RussMcB]

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