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Location: Ponder, TX | I'm attempting to find a spring manufacturer to make hood springs for '55 and '56 Dodges and Plymouths for a reasonable price. Since it will be a custom order, the setup fees I've been quoted so far range from $300-$400, plus the spring cost...which has yet to be quoted. The fairly high setup fee would have to be spread across quite a few orders to make the price reasonable, so let me know if it's worth pursuing.
Also, if someone has a factory parts manual for all models available, please check the spring part number to see how many models it's used on. If Desoto and Chrysler used the same spring, it would sure help spread the cost. |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Buena Park, CA | Gary,
First off, count me in for at least one set. But it looks like 55-56 Plymouths used one spring and Dodges/Desotos/Chryslers use another. I would have assumed, like you did, that Plymouth and Dodge would be the same, and likewise for DeSotos and Chryslers. Here is what the parts book says: 55-56 Plymouth used part no. 1599 991, Dodge/Chrysler/Desoto use part no. 1599 433. The hood hinges are also different between the Plymouths and Dodges, but I will bring home one of my extra Plymouth hinges to compare to the Dodge.
David
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 Screen Shot 2014-11-25 at 11.43.54 AM.png (119KB - 100 downloads)
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Expert
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Location: Ponder, TX | That's disappointing! I suppose the Dodge hood is quite a bit heavier with the additional sheet metal and trim. It would be awfully expensive with the high setup cost if only a few people are interested.
So far, out of four companies I've found only one willing to make a small run of parts, and despite their promise to have a quote today, it didn't happen. A couple of companies won't even deal with individuals. Doesn't look good.... |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Buena Park, CA | Gary
Now that I think about it, I hear more complaints from 55-56 Plymouth owners about broken or saggy springs then from Dodge/Chrysler/DeSoto owners. Maybe the problem is with the original Plymouth springs and the ultimate solution to the problem is to use the Dodge/Chrysler/Desoto springs on the Plymouths. I will do what I can to cross compare the Dodge and Plymouth hinges and springs to see if there are any visual differences. As far as hood weight between the Dodge and Plymouth, the only weigh differential would be the difference between the hood-bird (Plymouth) and the finned piece (Dodge), everything else should be negligible.
David |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
Location: Ponder, TX | Interesting thoughts, David. My bet is they use the same hinge dimensions across the lines, even with the different part numbers, and if that's true, the spring strength would be the logical difference. If they could all use the same spring, it would certainly help resolve the cost issue. I wouldn't mind a little extra resistance to lower the hood if they function properly.
Edited by GaryS 2014-11-25 7:59 PM
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Buena Park, CA | I am taking an extra hood hinge and spring for a 56 Plymouth home today and will cross compare against my Dodge. I probably won't have a chance to look until Thanksgiving. |
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Expert
Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan | Have you tried this supplier? You would have to call them. Site isn't that descriptive. I got my leaf and coil springs from them. http://www.springsnthings.com/coil-spring.htm
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Expert
Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan | Have you tried this supplier? You would have to call them. Site isn't that descriptive. I got my leaf and coil springs from them. http://www.springsnthings.com/coil-spring.htm
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Buena Park, CA | So I cross compared the 56 Plymouth and 56 Dodge hood springs and there IS a difference in both the diameter of the coil as well as the diameter of the sprung steel. I will try to remember to bring my micrometer home to see if I can get a few hard numbers. |
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Location: ZH, Switzerland | I participate the poll. I just got a note from Wiz, that one hood spring of my 1956 Chrylser New Yorker gave up due to the age. It snapped away. I guess it didn't contract anymore. They are as you addressed the 1599 433 springs used in all 55/56 FLK Mopars except Plymouths. I wish to get two to replace both on my 59 year old beauty. NOS would be good, I assume reproduction parts are better. But I also could stick with a pair out of a parts car if they do not show cracked areas when stetched (alomst up to the working distance). Happy Motoring! Dieter
Edited by di_ch_NY56 2015-01-05 3:10 PM
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Location: NorCal |
Since I was too young to take notes when they were new, could one expect new springs to hold the hood fully open against the up stops in the hinge? |
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| Nope, you need a well selected broomstick for that. And a chunk of wood you keep in the trunk to chuck the wheels so it doesn't roll down the hill you parked on. |
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Location: ZH, Switzerland | 57chizler - 2015-01-04 8:41 PM Since I was too young to take notes when they were new, could one expect new springs to hold the hood fully open against the up stops in the hinge? The hood spring is under tension when the hood is closed and almost released when the hood is open - according the picture. I would like to get a set of hood springs as soon as possible. Actually it's almost impossible for a normal person to open the hood (if you're not Arnod Schwarzenegger). Happy Motoring! Dieter BTW: I already have a broomstick to keep the hood fully (!) open.
Edited by di_ch_NY56 2015-01-05 3:52 PM
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Detail Hood spring RH side.jpg (248KB - 102 downloads)
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Expert
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Location: ZH, Switzerland | Today I got out why the LH spring snapped out. The LH spring is apparently a not original spring comapred to the RH spring. It looks like welded or something strange at the lower end. Happy Motoring¨! Dieter
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Hood spring RH side 21 windings.jpg (115KB - 81 downloads)
Hood spring LH side 22 windings.jpg (201KB - 111 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 1348
Location: Valley Forge, Pa. | I found new hood springs for an old Ferd Galaxie by counting the # of coils, measuring the over all length and wire diameter then looking on Ebay. Found a similar new set for a Camaro or some GM that worked great.
I used to get suspension springs from a place in Reading, Pa. with and unusual name of Reading Springs. They were nice guys to talk to and he still had a pattern for my coils on my 67 GTO and the leafs for my Suburban. Lot of times, these places may have some in old inventory if you give them the specks. Maybe there is no cheap way out but it might be worth looking around before you commit?
P.S. The earliest parts book I have is 1957. The #1624 770 was used on all Plymouths, Dodges, and the DeSoto model #28 but not for Chrys., Imperials or DeSoto Model #25 +26.s. The #1624 770 was used in 1958 and 1959 also but not in 1960. Maybe same as 1955-56?
Hope that helps some?
Karl. |
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Posts: 1530
Location: ZH, Switzerland | Hello Karl thank you ver much for your answer. Actually I'm not able to find hood springs even though I would spend USD 100.- or 200.- for a nice lookking pair with no cracks at the wire and only minor surface rust. Actually I only could count the number of windings, but the wire diameter or the overall length - nope. My Chrysler is far away at the moment (almost 1000 mi). Furthermore I do not know if ChryCo used the practice to use already used parts under a second parts number. Of course I saw many hood springs at ebay, but not for Chryslers. The lower hook looks the same, but the upper hook w/ the long straight part is different. At the moment it's rather frustrating. Actually I do not believe that I'll ever get other hood springs. Happy Motoring! Dieter |
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Posts: 1530
Location: ZH, Switzerland | Okay friends, We just got out (big thank you for your investigation Sven), that there were originally an RH and a LH spring installed in my Chrysler. As you can see the LH spring doesn't fit correct - it should be mirrored. I got the first estimation for the LH spring. It would cost around USD 50.- per spring. Within a few days I'll get the quotation of the RH spring as well. These springs will fit all '55/'56 Dodge, Chrysler, De Soto and Imperial, but not the Plymouth - according the parts book. Is any of you interrested? I plan to get 20 springs from each (LH/RH). They will be produced in SWEDEN, beware NOT China. Happy Motoring! Dieter
Edited by di_ch_NY56 2015-01-12 12:59 PM
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Location: ZH, Switzerland | di_ch_NY56 - 2015-01-11 6:58 PM Okay friends, We just got out (big thank you for your investigation Sven), that there were originally an RH and a LH spring installed in my Chrysler. As you can see the LH spring doesn't fit correct - it should be mirrored. I got the first estimation for the LH spring. It would cost around USD 50.- per spring. Within a few days I'll get the quotation of the RH spring as well. These springs will fit all '55/'56 Dodge, Chrysler, De Soto and Imperial, but not the Plymouth - according the parts book. Is any of you interrested? I plan to get 20 springs from each (LH/RH). They will be produced in SWEDEN, beware NOT China. Happy Motoring! Dieter It seems that nobody is interested anymore. So I'm going to postpone the project. We'll see if I need some springs in future I'll let produce only as much as I need for me alone. Thank you. Happy Motoring! Dieter |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Buena Park, CA | Dieter . . . sorry I haven't responded sooner but I have been doing some of my own investigation on the subject (and chatting with GaryS via email and through his build forum) and wanted to come to some conclusions. I can tell you with almost complete certainty that there is no right or left when it comes to these springs. The spring you posted above (Hood spring LH side 22 windings.jpg) is incorrect or has been modified. The long arm of that spring is off by 180 degrees. The center of the "hooks" should be almost centered with the mid point of the spring diameter.
As for your spring purchase, $50 a spring seems good to me. My only problem is that I have found another set in my stash of parts so I just can justify the expense right now. And I would also have to deal with shipping to the States. I am going to attach some pictures to see if they tell a better story then I can write.
David
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photo 1.JPG (129KB - 98 downloads)
photo 2.JPG (95KB - 94 downloads)
photo 3.JPG (76KB - 99 downloads)
photo 4.JPG (76KB - 89 downloads)
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Buena Park, CA | Dammit . . . the pictures got rotated. |
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Posts: 1530
Location: ZH, Switzerland | Hi David Big thank you to you for the clarification, the time you spent for this case and the pictures. I was puzzled, had peculiar feelings about this thing. All the time I couldn't believe that the parts book addresses one parts number with an amount of two. The LH spring was rubing at the hinge all the time while opening and closing the hood while the RH spring is paralell to the longitudinal axle of the hinge. I noticed on many pictures (1956 Chrysler motor bay) that both springs should be parallel. I'm thinking about the shipment as well, because I know how it is. I usually buy the stuff for my Chrysler in th States and then the same happens to me (as you expect from my country to the States). I'm thinking about the weight for a set of two springs and I'm keen to find the most economic way to ship it. The springs in discussing will have a slightly bigger wire diameter. I assume they will be a little bit stronger than the stock springs. I'm postponing the project because I got (or better, got the confirmation for the order of) a set of hinges /w springs from John (Big M). Happy Motoring! Dieter |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8443
Location: Perth Australia | Not sure of how the postal side of things works for you over there, but, even though the freight out of the US is expensive, to freight the exact same part from here back to the US costs almost double
I think they might have better rates if you send a lot of stuff, but just for a few parcels, it will cost more
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 8443
Location: Perth Australia | Not sure of how the postal side of things works for you over there, but, even though the freight out of the US is expensive, to freight the exact same part from here back to the US costs almost double
I think they might have better rates if you send a lot of stuff, but just for a few parcels, it will cost more
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 792
Location: Buena Park, CA | Dieter,
Glad I could help out. I figured that pictures would help much more then me trying to verbally explain. I still have one mission to complete and that is to see if the "Dodge/Chrysler/Desoto" springs will fit and work on the Plymouth. But that mission may take me a while.
Dave |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 907
Location: Magra, Sweden | The springs off the 1955 La Femme
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 507
Location: Invermere B.C. Canada - Rocky Mountains | 55CRL - 2015-01-20 2:29 PM The springs off the 1955 La Femme
................around 10 5/8 in.  |
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Expert
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Location: ZH, Switzerland | 55CRL - 2015-01-19 10:29 PM The springs off the 1955 La Femme Thank you very much Thord for your good picture. I appreciate your help. As far as I know the wire diameter is around 5.4 mm (27/128"). But I do not have an idea about the winding diameter. I assume around 5 cm (3/16"). Happy Motoring! Dieter |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
Location: Ponder, TX | I measured a Plymouth spring and the main difference I found was in the number of coils. Those pictured above have 22 coils while the Plymouth has 21. The overall length is also different, as the Plymouth version measures 10.25", or approx. 26.035 cm. Those in the picture appear to be 27 cm, or 10.63", which is more than one coil, as the wire on my rusty part measures about .18.
That much extra length suggests there would be little or no tension on the spring when installed, which may or may not affect operation enough to be a problem.
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Elite Veteran
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Location: Magra, Sweden | di_ch_NY56 - 2015-01-25 9:57 PM
55CRL - 2015-01-19 10:29 PM The springs off the 1955 La Femme Thank you very much Thord for your good picture. I appreciate your help. As far as I know the wire diameter is around 5.4 mm (27/128"). But I do not have an idea about the winding diameter. I assume around 5 cm (3/16"). Happy Motoring! Dieter
Hi Dieter,
I've measured the spring winding diameter today and it is 34.5 mm. Wire diameter is 5.2 mm |
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Expert
Posts: 1530
Location: ZH, Switzerland | 55CRL - 2015-01-27 9:23 PM di_ch_NY56 - 2015-01-25 9:57 PM 55CRL - 2015-01-19 10:29 PM The springs off the 1955 La Femme Thank you very much Thord for your good picture. I appreciate your help. As far as I know the wire diameter is around 5.4 mm (27/128"). But I do not have an idea about the winding diameter. I assume around 5 cm (3/16"). Happy Motoring! Dieter Hi Dieter, I've measured the spring winding diameter today and it is 34.5 mm. Wire diameter is 5.2 mm Thank you very much. Today I got the message from Sven that one of Johns spring (the RH one) has broken and was seeking it's way to the freedom. The template for the reproduction is the old LH spring that has proven wrong by many contributors here. For me it's a fundamentaly difference in a strategic question. Under this circumstances I do not let reproduce any springs. I do not want to be reminded every time I open the hood of my Chrysli that I was overtalken and choose the wrong decision. Plus all of you know that the old LH spring is not belonging to 55/56 Chryslers/De Sotos and Dodges. Hypthotically I do not see the chance of selling even one of that piece of crap. Happy Motoring! Dieter BTW the spring that gave up searched it's way to the freedom with a closed hood. The result was a bump in the firewall and few deep srcatches at the cowl sheet metal near the windshield. Now I have to bring my Chrysler to a body shop to repair the color surface at the cowl.
Edited by di_ch_NY56 2015-03-01 3:55 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1530
Location: ZH, Switzerland | There are news about the hood springs. Unfortunatly the spring company leaked blood (due to a long dispute and pictures of the springs installed they finally noticed that the springs are for an automotive application) and the price rose to about USD 1000.- for a set of 10 springs (without shipping to me and Swiss import taxes). I plan to sell about 6 springs for a price of what I mentioned first. I know I'll get a big minus with every spring I'm going to sell, but better than nothing when I'll keep all 10 springs. Shipping to the States I assume is less than USD 20.- for a set due to the total weight of package of less than 1.1 lb (less than 500 gr). If you're still interested, you could PM me. I expect to get the springs at me in calendar week 18. Happy Motoring! Dieter |
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Expert
Posts: 1208
Location: SWITZERLAND | About this problem I have added a mostly ready thread on my "site". Comment please here. - SERGE - http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=23691&posts=199&start=200 |
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Expert
Posts: 1231
Location: York County, PA | By the looks of the pictures you'all are posting, the diameter of the spring should not matter as long as the length and hooks are right.
Catch ya later. |
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Expert
Posts: 1530
Location: ZH, Switzerland | Today I posted the mounting of the new hood springs (Edit:) at my thread at the members ride section about my Beast. I still have 8 springs. The springs are produced by Stece Fjädrär company in Sweden. Here is only the result. The hood swings automaticly to the open position when at least half open. Happy Motoring! Dieter
Edited by di_ch_NY56 2015-05-15 11:01 AM
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'55-'56 Hood Spring Poll
