85 hood gas cylinders
A health issue makes it difficult to open and close my hood due to its weight. Although I've had the car since 86 I'm not sure if the original hood gas cylinders are now weak or was it always difficult to raise and lower the hood (Did I got weaker with age?). The health issue just amplifies the situation. Later C4's had a larger assist cylinder which I could adapt to fit the 85 but the car is totally original. Will replacing the original rwo stock cylinders resolve this or am I wasting money?
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Re: 85 hood gas cylinders
Ed-------
These cylinders are gas charged and they definitely don't last forever. If yours are original to the car, they're now almost 35 years old. You won't be wasting any money by replacing them and I do think it will improve your hood opening performance. However, the GM cylinders, GM #14043065, are discontinued. So, for replacement you would need to go aftermarket. They are available.
These cylinders were used through 1987. In 1988 a new single cylinder hood opening system was adopted and used through 1996. This cylinder, GM #10175784, remains available. It can be retrofitted to 1985-87 Corvettes but requires an adapter bracket kit, GM #12525137, which is no longer available. Of course, if the 10175784 cylinder were adapted, it would be a completely non-original configuration for your car.
addendum:
The AC-Delco part number for the 1985-87 hood opening cylinders is 510-310, aka GM #12333252.In Appreciation of John Hinckley
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