Original Hood??...How to tell

[LannyL81]

How can I tell if I have an aftermarket hood or an original hood? I know the underside has been painted, but trying to determine if the hood has been replaced by previous owner? There was no emissions label on the hood when I got the car.

Thanks,
LannyL81

 

[bill81vette]

There was no label on mine either when I got it,but mine had been repainted black
I suppose as long as it looks original....unless the previous owner(s)have said different....

 

[LannyL81]

Previous owner not available to ask. Is there a GM part number or something that IDs the hood as OEM?

I know the car had some front end repair from the overspray in the under front bumper components.

What has brought-up the question is that I ordered / received a hood insulation pad and it does not fit...not very close at all in one corner. Business tells me they have been using the same template for years from a 78 hood with no complaints. So this got me to wondering if I have an aftermarket hood...although the hood fits fine....but just has me wondering.

 

[bill81vette]

there was no hood insulation used on the 80-82 vettes.
not that you couldn't put some on,
as far as I know there is no way to tell,if its original.

 

[6880 Mike]

All C3 hoods were painted semi-flat black on the underside as part of the blackout process. Some model years used blanket insulation on hoods for sound deadening purposes; other model years have no hood blankets. Absence of an emissions label on the hood could mean nothing more than the original label has peeled off over time.

I agree with Bill. The fit of the hood is the key. 80-82 hoods were new in their time and not the same as the earlier hoods. That could explain why the insulation from a 78 does not fit.

 

[GerryLP]

The emissions label on my Vette fell off as well back when. My hood is not repainted, and does show some sort of crayon markings, but it also did not have a hood insulation, if it was available.

 

[LannyL81]

I did not even think about the 80-82 hoods being different....of course they are....the body was changed slightly for these last years of the C3. I will pass this along to the business that sells the hood insulation. He is sending me a rectangle so I can cut my own...perhaps I will make a template and sell it to him.

Anyways, thanks to all that replied. I will just go-on thinking that I have the original hood...