1961 Corvette Decklid/Trunk Hinges

[Vettefreak100]

We are restoring the decklid/trunk hinges on our 1961 Corvette. We got everything apart, cleaned everything up, and powdercoated the hinges and the towers. Now we are trying to reassemble it and are having trouble getting the new springs into the slots so that we can bolt them in place. We compressed the springs as much as we can by tightening the bolts, but it will not go into place and brute force will not compress the spring anymore. Has anyone replaced the springs on their decklid/trunk hinges and if so can you tell me how you got them in place.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Is it possible to remove the lid and push the hinges down ? I will take a look at my 62 to see what it looks like tomorow

 

[Vettefreak100]

The hinges are out of the car completely. They are completely disassemebled except for the springs being in their slots with the bolts that run through the middle of the springs tightened as far as they can go to compress the spring. Even with this, we cannot get the hinge mechanism that actually attaches to the trunk or the decklid to go over the bolt so we can tighten it into place. I'd post some pictures of it if I knew how.

 

[studiog]

My 61 is long gone so I can't refeence it but are you sure you are trying to reassemble them in the unloaded postion?