Aftermarket Hoods

[stokers]

I'm looking to buy a '67 big block hood from either Ecklers, Mid-America or Vanacor. Any information about good or bad experice and/or quality with each would be appreciated. Eckler's has both "hand-laid" and "machine-pressed" fiberglass hoods. What's the difference other than price. Lastly, any info on parts necessary to do the L88 style hood would be helpful.

Thanks.

 

[rowingone]

The "pressed" hood is like the factory hood . . actually the difference is most notable from underneath . . the pressed hood will have a smooth finish . .the hand laid will have a rougher fiberglass strand appearance. If money is no object or your car is original get the pressed . . if all you car about is outside appearance . . get the hand laid. Ecklers quality is good as far as fit an finish.I believe you would also need, of course, to get the 427 emblem for both sides of the hood . . and someone correct if I'm wrong . . the hood support was on the left side for big blocks.

 

[BLACK MOON]

I bought a Vanacor hood and it is too narrow. Nice finish but it will take some work to make it fit. $360 at the shows. The rough finish is only on the center section and shouldn't be too hard to smooth.

I'm looking to buy a '67 big block hood from either Ecklers, Mid-America or Vanacor. Any information about good or bad experice and/or quality with each would be appreciated. Eckler's has both "hand-laid" and "machine-pressed" fiberglass hoods. What's the difference other than price. Lastly, any info on parts necessary to do the L88 style hood would be helpful.

Thanks.

 

[magicv8]

That's the reason I ended up buying an NOS hood when mine went belly up.

I tried a couple of aftermarket hoods. They all were missing the filler between the threaded reinforcing plates and the fiberglass underhood support. Without the filler, when the rivets are installed, the fiberglass cracks. That's OK for a TQ, but a Corvette that jumps in and out of potholes needs a hood press molded in a heated mold.

NOS has filler and correct rivets - and- are always so large that no opening exceeds the size.

 

[BLACK MOON]

Well none of that is true of mine but it is about 1/8" narrow. Maybe when primed and painted it will be ok.