Hood Hinge Time! Any Reviews?

[John510]

It is time to order some polished hood hinges but I cant decide which ones. I wanted Fesler but fear that it will take forever to get them. Has anyone used the cheaper EMS hinges and been happy with them? Other question is which venders have them IN STOCK for a 68 camaro with a carbon hood?

If you are happy with what you have please tell.....

[ProdigyCustoms]

Fesler, Ring bros or Billet Specialties are your only choices. If Fesler is what you want, don't fear Fesler delivery time, they have been getting stuff out very quickly. I will have to check stock, we may have one or all 3 brands in stock.

[absintheisfun]

I've wondered about EMS as well...they seem to be 200.00 cheaper if you go for the natural finish...I'm trying to decide on who to buy as well.

EMS: $475.00 (http://www.eddiemotorsports.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=26763&c=339)
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Ring Brothers: $625.00 (http://www.ringbrothers.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=349)
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Billet SPecialties: $574.00 (http://www.billetspecialties.com/item.asp?cid=38&scid=307&pid=1284)
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Fesler: $650.00 (http://www.shopfesler.com/products/1967%252d69-Chevy-Camaro-Billet-Hood-Hinge-%28Pair%29.html)
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I'm sure there are a few more out there, but these are the four that I have been looking at. If anyone knows of others, please chime in!

[Mkelcy]

While you're considering billet hood hinges, there is one thing I'd check on. The billet hood hinges I've seen so far don't allow the hood to open as much as the stock hinges. I'm 6'1" and would find that to be an issue.

[ProdigyCustoms]

Keep in mind the Billet Specialties DO NOT include the gas springs at the $574 price. but I am announcing a sale later that includes free black gas springs with any hinge purchase.

[dipren443]

While you're considering billet hood hinges, there is one thing I'd check on. The billet hood hinges I've seen so far don't allow the hood to open as much as the stock hinges. I'm 6'1" and would find that to be an issue.

Someone redid theirs to accommodate this issue. I don't remember who though. This is critical for me too as the 2nd gen hood opens even less than the 1st gen.

[wmhjr]

I have Fesler hinges on my GTO. I honestly can't say there is any difference in how high they open against stock. What I CAN say is that the product is top notch, and Fesler sure stood behind their product for me. Way more than I had any reason to expect. I am extremely happy with the hinges and with the company.

[absintheisfun]

Keep in mind the Billet Specialties DO NOT include the gas springs at the $574 price. but I am announcing a sale later that includes free black gas springs with any hinge purchase.

Good to know!

[68sixspeed]

I've got the Fesler's, great quality, and the hood opens enough that I've pulled and put in the motor a couple times without removing the hood, I'd say about the same clearance as the stock ones. I like the looks of the windows on the Ring Bro's ones but it is also more spots to clean, collect dirt etc. -Dan

[MikeDVC]

It is time to order some polished hood hinges but I cant decide which ones. I wanted Fesler but fear that it will take forever to get them. Has anyone used the cheaper EMS hinges and been happy with them? Other question is which venders have them IN STOCK for a 68 camaro with a carbon hood?

If you are happy with what you have please tell.....

I ordered Fesler's through site sponsor "Muscle Rodz"; I received them within two weeks.

[FULMNTE]

I have a set of EMS hinges on my Monte. No issues...

[ProdigyCustoms]

We do not carry the EMS. Compare all the brands we sell here:

http://www.protouringsuperstore.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=2627

[John510]

Frank,
How long of a wait for some Billet Specialties?

Polished hinge with the polished shocks. Says it came out to 584 on your site. That seems like a good deal compared to the other brands.

[MuscleRodz]

Fesler new design opens further than stock. Only ones that do take longer is if you want a finish they do not stock. Only reason for Fesler to take time is if you want a finish Ring Brothers we sell only when someone seems to want the airframe design.

[ProdigyCustoms]

In stock. Those are a smoking deal, your saving about $60 with the free shipping.


Frank,
How long of a wait for some Billet Specialties?

Polished hinge with the polished shocks. Says it came out to 584 on your site. That seems like a good deal compared to the other brands.

[John510]

Got them. Thanks!

[ProdigyCustoms]

Thanks John, Got the order through the store. They will ship tomorrow

[Fesler built]

The Fesler Hinge opens farther than the rest we redesigned the hinge to open further than stock so you could work on the engine with out taking the hood off. That is the advantage to making parts for cars we work on and not just making parts. All hinges are not the same regarless of what they tell you and there is a reason to pay more for something if it has a better design.

[LeighP]

Can I pick someone's brain on a couple of points about billet hinges.

Heres the situation - 71 Firebird with factory Formula hood (fibreglass over steel). These hoods are heavy, my guess is they weigh the same as a steel hood. They have an issue where, over time, people pulling the hood down (instead of pushing it to the rear as it comes down) can induce a fore/aft bow in the hood along the side frame rails.
My plan was, when I was going to use factory hinges, to remove the springs off the hinges and use some billet hood props....without the springs, theres no force being applied to bend the hood.

So, my billet hinge questions are -
1. would it be recommended to use the struts made for steel hoods when using the heavy Formula hood?
2. would I be better off buying hinges with no struts and using the billet folding hood props that I already have?

Thanks for any feedback.

[MuscleRodz]

Can I pick someone's brain on a couple of points about billet hinges.

Heres the situation - 71 Firebird with factory Formula hood (fibreglass over steel). These hoods are heavy, my guess is they weigh the same as a steel hood. They have an issue where, over time, people pulling the hood down (instead of pushing it to the rear as it comes down) can induce a fore/aft bow in the hood along the side frame rails.
My plan was, when I was going to use factory hinges, to remove the springs off the hinges and use some billet hood props....without the springs, theres no force being applied to bend the hood.

So, my billet hinge questions are -
1. would it be recommended to use the struts made for steel hoods when using the heavy Formula hood?
2. would I be better off buying hinges with no struts and using the billet folding hood props that I already have?

Thanks for any feedback.The steel hood struts are just right for the formula hood. The glass struts will not hold it up. We have a set of RB hinges on a 70 Forula we did and it goes up nice and slow

[LeighP]

Thanks very much, I'm mostly interested in the Ring Brothers new style....nice to know they work well.
Appreciate your reply.

[Fesler built]

Please keep in mind that most of the companies dont realize you need different struts for different hoods. They all think you can just sell one strut for most hoods. This will not work and will cause problems for lots of you guys. Also keep in mind that all struts are not equal and we pay more for our struts so the end user gets the best product they can from us. We have a less than 2% return rate on our struts so the old saying here goes you dont always get what you pay for so make sure your struts are of a good quality or you will have paint issues down the road.

[1st Wing]

I have Ring Brothers Hood hinges. MY Hood is heavier than stock because I put an e-body shaker on the car and after cutting the hole in the hood for it, it took some extra bracing and I had to add to the front of the hood to match up with the fenders used. The first struts that came with the hood didn't hold it up after a while and unfortunately found that out the hard way. Ring Brothers replaced them with the heavier struts which worked for a while but now those are no longer hold it up either. Anyone else having a problem with the struts not working after a short period of time? As anyone knows that has priced these or has them, they are not cheap. I like the looks of the but need something that will hold the hood up.

[dhD 1970 Camao]

bought a set of Felser billet hood hinges for my 1970 camaro...they looked beautiful, installed them, the bolts stripped out after opening the hood 4 times nearly damaged my body work, fixed that and after opening a couple more times, the bearings blew out of them. they were garbage and I sent them back. Has anyone had these kinds of problems with the ring brother hinges, if so I will buy a new set of stock hinges instead. So many companies out there selling repro parts that are just sub quality junk. I also ordered a set of billet tail lights from Fesler and they took over 4 months to get them...ridiculous.

Please, if any one has installed a set of ring brother billet hinges on their 1970 camaro, let me know your experiences with them...thanks a bunch.

[FirebirdSteve]

I installed the Ring Bros. hood hinges. They are beautiful looking...that said, I had to get the heavier struts as I too have added weight to the hood. Still not holding it up though.
I am going to have to get some aftermarket struts.



****EDIT: Found a local guy who can rebuild the Ring Bros. struts for the application!!!