Author Topic: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.  (Read 3704 times)

roadking77

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Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« on: August 18, 2024, 10:05:21 AM »

20240813_101235 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
Found this on the hood I am going to use. Not sure if its a date code or product no.
I thought this was a 1980 hood from the bird that was on it.
20240813_101438 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
Out of curiosity I found this on a spare hood that I have. This one is an original Tenth Anniv. hood.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
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TA301

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #1 on: August 18, 2024, 12:54:00 PM »
What area of the hood is this code located, hard to tell from the picture.

roadking77

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2024, 11:00:55 AM »
On the side near the hinge, dr side I am pretty sure.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

roadking77

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2024, 06:27:32 AM »
20240820_120254 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr
First pic showed came from this locations, I did find the same number stamped at the front of hood as well.20240820_120148 by Kerry Grubb, on Flickr

SO, what is the consensus? Date Code?
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

5th T/A

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2024, 01:44:36 PM »
Unfortunately, I can't say what it means. I checked the hood on my 1980 TA and only found the marking near the driver's side hood hinge My car was built in September of 1979.

 IMG_4119 by Lawrence Alexander, on Flickr
1980 T/A with a Pontiac 461

Gone but not forgotten;
1973 T/A 455
1975 T/A 400
1978 T/A W72
1982 T/A cross fire injected

Two wheel toys;
2014 Harley Ultra Classic Limited
2013 Honda CB1100
2010 Yamaha Vmax
1982 Yamaha Seca 750

Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2024, 01:44:36 PM »

roadking77

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #5 on: August 22, 2024, 07:08:11 AM »
I will have to look at the front peak now :shock:

As to the others, could the first digit be month, than a letter and 2 or 3 digit code, then year?
That combination would make sense for the 3 examples given.

If anyone else can see theirs post it up. I will have to check my 77 now.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

Wallington

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #6 on: August 22, 2024, 09:16:29 PM »
9A4G79
Based on similar stampings like cowl date codes, 9th month, 1st week, 4 G could be shift or plant or employee, 1979.
I have a spare hood with nothing anywhere, but also has filler and 20 coats of paint. The other is wrapped up, i recall a stamping of some sort near hinge. Maybe.
« Last Edit: August 23, 2024, 05:11:11 AM by Wallington »

Wallington

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2024, 04:54:04 AM »
I dragged my other hood out for quick look, pics are either dusty or covered in water as ran out of light.

1A1678 on a 3-78 car, possibly January 78, 1st week, 16 beers prior!

It also has the same number stamped on the rear side corner but no access to pic yet.

20240823_175159 by Ben, on Flickr


This one is on a 79-81 spare hood. The order is confusing and lack of year.

12B917 , but wondering if the order was mixed up and should say 12B179, after all, they are stamped in reverse and may have had someone lisdexic...but that still leaves one less digit, or maybe they missed the final 9.....who knows, except it's rare and super valuable....
Or 6-digit body number like 123917...unlikely, and from certain angles there seems to be a front edge to the B. Also different font to others, not seen any 3 with the serifs.

20240823_174530 by Ben, on Flickr


Otherwise, I haven't looked at my hood in 15 years and it's been wrapped and stored since off so any finer details have never been studied. In the future I had 2 points to check where these hoods can be improved or where they crack.

The first was the rear inner angle where they can distort and crack near the hinges. Some guys have added heavier gauge flat steel strip inside the edge for strength. I was surprised to see that this was already done prior, long strips stitch welded and then seam filled for the entire length of the hinge mounts. No signs of ever having damage repaired, just beefed up. Good job. Not so good pics.

20240823_173443 by Ben, on Flickr

20240823_173436 by Ben, on Flickr


The other weak point is the slotted cutout in front of the hinge mount. These often crack here over time and often if hinges are getting stiff, flexes up and down and when opening.

This is the spare 79 hood, one opening is cracked, large on one side, tiny crack on other side. Easy to tack weld up. The other opening is perfect, I guess that hinge was also perfect.

20240823_152414 by Ben, on Flickr


However, on my good 78 hood....no openings at all. I haven't seen these hoods without the openings there. I will need to study a lot more pics to see if the earlier versions didn't always have the openings, or if this one has been welded up, already know it has had prior work done. No obvious signs of a patch on either side, no flattened areas or signs it had been ground away to match the rest. Will have a better look tomorrow and possibly see if there's visual access inside. Either way, another surprise and another thing less to worry about or do.

20240823_181728 by Ben, on Flickr


Finally, something I hadn't really noticed, on both hoods here and on all 77-81 hoods I did a quick search on....the small screw hole directly behind the rear cowl seal and almost exactly where the rubber bumper on the cowl would rest. I'm wondering if there was possibly an earlier version or at least idea, where that same bumper was on the hood and not the cowl? Seems unused in every pic. Will study some more.

You can see the wear mark from the cowl rubber bumper right on the screw hole, and rub mark next to it being the static spring bracket. The edge on both of mine is raised to indicate it has seen a self-tapper screw at some point...what am I forgetting?!

20240823_153345 by Ben, on Flickr

20240823_152559 by Ben, on Flickr

« Last Edit: August 23, 2024, 06:53:57 AM by Wallington »

roadking77

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2024, 11:27:31 AM »
Thanks for the pics and info. I looked at 2 that I can see easily and neither has a stamp at the front edge peak. Looking at what you posted I am not convinced yours has a 78 stamped as much as just the way the metal wrinkled :?
Your idea on the interpretation of the numbers makes sense.
I have another spare hood out back and I have not had a chance to look at the one on my 77 yet.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

Wallington

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2024, 08:54:11 PM »
Sick of hood pics yet? too bad!

A few more, washed my hood and got a few better pics. This is the first time it has seen sunlight in 15 years. I found out something, they are nearly impossible to carry complete even with 2 guys, but remove the scoops and can just manage by yourself. Sweet.

78 Formula hood washed reflections 24-8-24 (9) by Ben, on Flickr

78 Formula hood washed reflections 24-8-24 (7) by Ben, on Flickr

Just in time to catch UFO....

78 Formula hood washed reflections 24-8-24 (8) by Ben, on Flickr

Matching stamping from near hinge outer face.

Firebird Formula hood date stamping outside LH hinge by Ben, on Flickr

Filled in hinge openings, still no signs of being filled, curve matches, looking along them you can seen the pressing ripples, but yet to see another without them either so...and hidden on cars with hood mat, enginebay pics often don't show the hood this high.

78 Formula hood rear hinge openings filled or missing where crack (2) by Ben, on Flickr

78 Formula hood rear hinge openings filled or missing where crack (3) by Ben, on Flickr

Different hood to what I posted this on previously, here you can see the cowl rubber bumper mark and scratched paint for grounding strap, mystery screw hole directly above it...anyone?

Firebird Formula hood cowl bumper ground spring marks unused screw hole by Ben, on Flickr

Hard to take pics of but welded reinforcing, now cleaned, but too glossy. The underhood is the same as the top, fail!

Firebird Formula hood rear outer edge reinforced strips welded (1) by Ben, on Flickr

Firebird Formula hood rear outer edge reinforced strips welded (2) by Ben, on Flickr
« Last Edit: August 23, 2024, 08:57:31 PM by Wallington »

5th T/A

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2024, 09:22:17 PM »
Wow Ben, very impressive paint and pictures. Talk about a mirror finish. The reflections on your hood looks like an optical illusion.
1980 T/A with a Pontiac 461

Gone but not forgotten;
1973 T/A 455
1975 T/A 400
1978 T/A W72
1982 T/A cross fire injected

Two wheel toys;
2014 Harley Ultra Classic Limited
2013 Honda CB1100
2010 Yamaha Vmax
1982 Yamaha Seca 750

roadking77

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #11 on: August 24, 2024, 04:51:36 PM »
Def an impressive paint job! Looks like chrome :grin:
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

Wallington

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #12 on: August 25, 2024, 12:56:23 AM »
No ideas on the random screw hole?

TA301

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #13 on: August 25, 2024, 10:20:54 AM »
That hood is so shiny it is surreal.

roadking77

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2024, 06:41:31 AM »
Im not sure of the location of the screw hole from the pics, but assume its at the rear (hence the grounding strap mark). Is is a screw hole or a spot for a push pin from weather strip. My hood is face side up on the bench right now in paint prep. When I flip it back over I may have a better idea.
Finished!
77 T/A - I will Call this one DONE!
79 TATA 4sp-Next Project?
79 TATA - Lost to Fire!
86 Grand Prix - Sold
85 T/A - Sold
85 Fiero - Sold
82 Firebird - Sold
'38-CZ 250
'39-BSA Gold Star
'49-Triumph 350
'52-Ariel Red Hunter
'66-BSA Lightning
'01-HD RoadKing

Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2024, 06:41:31 AM »

Wallington

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #15 on: August 27, 2024, 09:26:59 AM »
Here's a 79-81 Formula hood, turbo light holes show it is 80-81 era.

Also, the rub marks for the cowl bumper and ground strap have moved again, seems it wasn't a case of drill the dimple out.

79-81 Firebird Formula hood underside (1) 2 by Ben, on Flickr
« Last Edit: August 27, 2024, 09:30:48 AM by Wallington »

b_hill_86

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #16 on: August 27, 2024, 11:10:28 AM »
What was the purpose of that ground strap again?
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

Wallington

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #17 on: August 27, 2024, 08:33:47 PM »
I think it was for build-up of static over a large surface when travelling and the hinges not being a good ground (yet fine if they wanted to run electric windows...), may or may not have affected radio. Half the 80's cars were dragging a strap on the ground, something kids today have never seen! Half due to the computers on board not wanting to get zapped, just in case. Scary times!
« Last Edit: August 27, 2024, 08:37:39 PM by Wallington »

b_hill_86

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #18 on: August 27, 2024, 09:43:39 PM »
Thanks for the explanation. I do recall the strap dragging days however lol. Kinda forgot about it actually
-Brian-

1977 Trans Am 400 4 speed

TA301

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #19 on: September 04, 2024, 04:15:35 PM »
Here is the code I found on the hood of my 1981. From the previous codes posted, it is evident only letters A and B were used. Probably denoting day [A] or night shift at the stamping plant.
« Last Edit: September 04, 2024, 04:18:36 PM by TA301 »

FormTA

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #20 on: September 05, 2024, 07:24:40 AM »
Funny thing about that dragging strap. At work, out propane forklift would zap you silly ever time you got on it. One of the younger guys grabbed a bungee cord and stuffed it into the tow hole at the back and let it drag on the floor. Instantly no more zapping. It's been like that for 4 years now.

79 Trans am low buck LS swapped
79 Formula 301 (Work in progress)
67 RS Camaro (waiting it's turn)
69 Dodge charger on late model charger chassis
49 Ford F1 on a 2003 Chevy ZR2 Chassis (current project)
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wheels78ta

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #21 on: September 05, 2024, 10:08:01 AM »
Y88 hood...........

Date code on the inside frame...................

Date code on hood side..............

Willie

1978 Gold Y88 4 spd W72 WS6 project
2006 Chevy Silverado Z71----Hers
2005 Chevy Suburban 2500---The Hauler

wheels78ta

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #22 on: September 05, 2024, 10:22:20 AM »
Holes in underside of hood as discussed above......

« Last Edit: September 05, 2024, 10:41:25 AM by wheels78ta »
Willie

1978 Gold Y88 4 spd W72 WS6 project
2006 Chevy Silverado Z71----Hers
2005 Chevy Suburban 2500---The Hauler

wheels78ta

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #23 on: September 05, 2024, 10:42:10 AM »
The culprits causing the rust near the hole...............

Willie

1978 Gold Y88 4 spd W72 WS6 project
2006 Chevy Silverado Z71----Hers
2005 Chevy Suburban 2500---The Hauler

TA301

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #24 on: September 07, 2024, 12:36:31 PM »
Holes in underside of hood as discussed above......

Is that the original factory hose routing for the windshield washer nozzles?

Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #24 on: September 07, 2024, 12:36:31 PM »

wheels78ta

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #25 on: September 07, 2024, 01:21:35 PM »
Holes in underside of hood as discussed above......

Is that the original factory hose routing for the windshield washer nozzles?

Yes....hose and nozzles are original also.
Willie

1978 Gold Y88 4 spd W72 WS6 project
2006 Chevy Silverado Z71----Hers
2005 Chevy Suburban 2500---The Hauler

TA301

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Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #26 on: September 10, 2024, 08:31:26 PM »
Holes in underside of hood as discussed above......

Is that the original factory hose routing for the windshield washer nozzles?

Yes....hose and nozzles are original also.

Excellent. Now I know how to correctly route the hoses for my TA.

Re: Hood Numbers:Date Code or Product No.
« Reply #26 on: September 10, 2024, 08:31:26 PM »
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