Fiberglass hood recommendations

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I'm looking at getting one soon. I want one that uses the OEM hinges and latch. Does anyone have one and how do you like it?

I thought Harwood was making fiberglass cowl induction hoods for 4th Gens and I searched their site, but I couldn't find one. I could have sworn someone on this board posted that they bought one. I searched for that post and couldn't find it.

US Body makes one that runs about $500. Just looking for recommendations.

[novaboy009]

Glasstek makes a good hood at a good price.

www.glasstek.com

Kev

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Thanks Kev! Glasstek is cheaper than US body source.

Anyone have a Glasstek hood?

[69NovaSS]

check out Tameraz (I think thats how its spelled) on Ebay...they sell Glasstek hoods and their prices are better then Glasstek....there are several people on here with their hoods;) :)

[novaBRO]

Fiberglass hood recommendations? don't get one they don't fit well, they crack and it take a lot of body work to make them look good in paint. The hood may look straight but as soon as you paint it you will notice waves and you might be able to see the the hairs from the fiberglass mat.

[bighappy]

Check out The Parts Place Inc. I think they are cheaper than Glasstec. Might check VFN also. All are in the Chicago area so shipping should be about the same from all of them. The Parts Place has some other 4th gen items also to check out. Just got one of their catalogs. Good reading.

[Zoom]

Thanks for the replies everyone. VFN looks like a good source.

As far as not getting one, a quality manufacturer should solve all the fit and finish problems. That was the purpose of this thread. To find other's experiences with hoods.

I know there are manufacturer's putting out some good stuff. I seen a 72 Chevelle at a car show oevr the weekend that had a fiberglass cowl hood and fenders. You couldn't tell they were fiberglass until you looked under the hood. They looked great IMO.

[Custom Jim]

Next time you see that 72 Chevelle ask him what brand it was, how long ago it was purchased, and how much work went into them. Hopefully he has the information and did the work on the parts himself.

There will be differences in brands like how thick the glass is, how thick the gel coat is, how well it is supported underneath, how well edges are finished, how much material is added to allow for trimming to adjust gaps, how well it's finished on the underside, and so on.
How long ago it was purchased is another factor. Some companies are consistent with their products, others get better, and others falter. If something was purchased years ago and a person buys something from them today it may be just as good, better, or worse than that older piece from the same company. You could also get a Monday built or a Friday built part.

I bought fiberglass parts (fenders, hood, doors, bumpers, and hatchlid) for my 73 Nova from Glasstek and since it was the first time I had ever worked on something like that I knew they would take some work. I could have very well had put them on as is and called it a day and probably most people would probably not see that they were fiberglass however I wanted to have them look the best they could. Even where the car sits today you can look at them and see how well things are fitting with them but chances are I will work on them even more to make them very nice. The more you do bodywork or be shown from others how things fit together the more you may notice things on other cars.
I like the fact that the hood I got from glasstek was slightly oversized to where I could trim on the side and back edges to get a nice and consistent hood to fender and hood to cowl gap. What I had problems with was the levelness of the hood to the fenders so I had to make some relief cuts on the underside bracing and once I got the edge even with the fender I locked it down again but this time with a much better fender to hood levelness.

I have to think that most (but not all) fiberglass parts are designed to be on race cars to where with a 50' inspection they look decent but for the person putting on fiberglass parts and wanting a real nice 2' inspection, work has to be done on the parts or to the parts they meet against.

Overall, I'm happy with the product I got from Glasstek. It was also well packaged for shipping.

Jim

[Zoom]

Next time you see that 72 Chevelle ask him what brand it was, how long ago it was purchased, and how much work went into them. Hopefully he has the information and did the work on the parts himself.

I have to think that most (but not all) fiberglass parts are designed to be on race cars to where with a 50' inspection they look decent but for the person putting on fiberglass parts and wanting a real nice 2' inspection, work has to be done on the parts or to the parts they meet against.

Overall, I'm happy with the product I got from Glasstek. It was also well packaged for shipping.

Jim

Thanks Jim!

The owner wasn't around when I looked at the car. I did talk to his brother and he didn't know who made the parts, but he did say it was a pain to get them to fit. They did do a good job though.

I bought a fiberglass cowl hood years ago for a 69 Camaro I used to own. I got it from Unlimited Products and it was junk.

I guess should have said I also anticipate the fact that some work will need to be done to get the gaps and fit right on the hood no matter who makes it.

[4GOTTEN1]

I have had a VFN hood on my car now for 4 years and haven't had a problem with it.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j252/78NOVASS/001.jpg

[Custom Jim]

Thanks Jim!

The owner wasn't around when I looked at the car. I did talk to his brother and he didn't know who made the parts, but he did say it was a pain to get them to fit. They did do a good job though.

I bought a fiberglass cowl hood years ago for a 69 Camaro I used to own. I got it from Unlimited Products and it was junk.

I guess should have said I also anticipate the fact that some work will need to be done to get the gaps and fit right on the hood no matter who makes it.

That's the biggest thing is actually talking to the owners of the cars for their input. We could sit here and discuss all day long one thing but actually hearing and seeing something from a person is worth it and getting all the little things that might not get said in a forum like this.

Below is not knocking 4GOTTEN1's work or the car but these are things I see just as I get older and notice more details on vehicles. Photographs show some things but in real life they might not be as visible. Like I said this is nothing against his car but what I see.

The shot he has posted in the above reply makes it look like the hood bow from front to rear is higher than the fender with the shadow line on the edge of the hood. It looks nice by the blunt front portion by the drivers headlight but then arches up higher than the topside of the fender but then looks to go back down in the rear by the hood hinge and cowl.

Look at this photo in the link below at the height of the hood compared to the fender by the passenger headlight (seems up) and then compare it to the drivers side (which looks fine):

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j252/78NOVASS/003.jpg

All of the fit problems on any vehicle should be addressed before final assembly. Paint is not getting any cheaper and a highly polished paint on a vehicle will only magnify fit issues. If you want to make it better, go for it as long as you are happy with it in the end.
I saw the pictures 4GOTTEN1 has and I gave an opinion and it's nothing against his ride or work. I have all kinds of examples of poor body work myself on my home computer and even looking at my car there is all kinds of things I should have done better but didn't at the time. Hopefully I have learned and will make the next one I do that much better.

Jim

[4GOTTEN1]

That picture is 2 years old. Since then the hood has been shaved on the sides and the rubber hood stops have not been put back in just yet. Soon as I am able to take new pictures to show the new fit I will. No offense taken Custom Jim.

[Green Dragon]

That picture is 2 years old. Since then the hood has been shaved on the sides and the rubber hood stops have not been put back in just yet. Soon as I am able to take new pictures to show the new fit I will. No offense taken Custom Jim.

we had the same problem with the Harwood hood on my bro's 73 - the sides had to be cut back / notched significantly so the stock rubber bumpers could be used.

my opinion of glass hoods / specifically the Harwood he has is poor, it fit so-so , needed much trimming to fit (although the gelcoat surface was excellent ,needing very little prep work for paint),and ( being a pin hold-down, not front-latch style ), cracked around the pins.
it also flexes enough in driving that the paint has mucho spiderweb-like cracks in the clearcoat, and paint.

hopefully we'll get nice steel cowl hoods like the 3rd gen guys have now ( and my bro will use when we repaint in a year or so ) .

` AL

[1977Chad350]

I have learned the hard way on fiber glass hoods with my drag car, I say buy the best no matter what the price.

[Zoom]

hopefully we'll get nice steel cowl hoods like the 3rd gen guys have now ( and my bro will use when we repaint in a year or so ) .

` AL

Al, if I had a choice I would buy a steel hood too.

4GOTTEN1,

Did you buy low tension hood springs? I think your car looks great. I'm looking at buying the 4" cowl hood too.

[4GOTTEN1]

Yes I have low tension springs. I wanted to get the 4" because looking at the car from the front the roof looks like it's chopped somewhat and alot of other people have the 2" hood. It also allows you to get a 2" spacer between the carb. and filter so you can fit a 4"-6" K&N air cleaner and still have room. Thanks for the compliment.

[Johnnynova]

I have a Unlimited bolt on 4" cowl hood on my Nova. Fits very good and no stress cracks. The only dissapointment was the underside was no finished. Had to gel coat it myself.http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/Johnnynova/Img_0664.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/Johnnynova/IMG_0035.jpg

[4GOTTEN1]

Nice car Johnnynova like the stance too. Sweeet.

[ProNova]

Just my 2 cents, If you are driving it on the street WHY the 4 incher? I have the 3 incher from US Body Source out of Florida and it fits so so and well has been on car for I guess 10 years now and well the finish isn't the greatest but that can be fixed by a good painter when he preps it for paint, Other wise It uses all stock hinges and latches and low tension Springs, And like 4gottenone the fit is so so but here is a pic for you to decide

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c46/ProNova/422140290.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c46/ProNova/422139851.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c46/ProNova/422120916.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c46/ProNova/422139477.jpg

back to the 3 inch 4 inch thing, My point is why add to the reason for a cop to harrass you, In my state 3 inches is highest a scoop can be and it is cause for a cop to ticket you and cause you a reinspection at which time they can find fault with every little thing, Keep the 4 and above on the Drag Cars 3 inches is plenty for us Street Guys. Sorry Guys just my feelings and I do respect yours too

[Johnnynova]

Thanks 4GOTTEN1.
The reason for the 4 inch cowl was a clearance issue. I had Nitrous on it 3 years ago. No harassment up here.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/Johnnynova/MotorInCarFrontView.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b69/Johnnynova/MotorInCarPSide.jpg

[Nova Bob]

hey johnneynova,very mean looking 4th gen,,and i love that hood,just right!just my 2cents.

[Canter]

If you dont want a new hood, but just a scoop, you can try this:

http://www.thespeedcenter.net/SubHomeFrameSet.htm


They have steel cowl scoops. With some work you can make them fit on a Nova hood. This is what i an trying at the moment. Once its done i will post pics.

[Green Dragon]

Nice car Johnnynova like the stance too. Sweeet.

Ditto ! :)

What size wheel / tire you have on the backside of that ?

Looks a lot wider than the 275/60's on my 79, any clearance isues, etc ?

~ AL

needs to get one done and cruising ....... sigh ....

[Zoom]

Thanks to everyone posting pictures of their cars!

ProNova, I noticed you have TT 2's. I eventually want to get a set too. What size and off set on your front rims?

[ProNova]

Thanks to everyone posting pictures of their cars!

ProNova, I noticed you have TT 2's. I eventually want to get a set too. What size and off set on your front rims?


This is my fronts
Part No. - 505-5661
Size - 15x6
Offset - -2
Backside- 3 3/8
Bolt Circle - 5-4 3/4