Topic: Hood hinge date stamps

[Hipo giddyup]

 This is pertaining to my July 1966 Dearborn built coupe. My understanding is that the hinge finish will be P/O.?? Do all hood hinges have stamped date codes? And if not is this a hit or miss?? What time span would be correct for my car, maybe June of 66' dated hinges??  Thanks!

[rrenz]

P/O. They are dated in a format of month day and shift If I remember right. So anything prior to your build date would be acceptable I would imagine. I just purchased a second set for my car that were already sandblasted. Out of the two only one had a legible date.

[jwc66k]

What time span would be correct for my car, maybe June of 66' dated hinges?

The simple answer is yes. Even a May dated set would be OK. The source for hinges was probable close to Dearborn, so supplies would be easily available, unlike San Jose where shipping times need to be factored in.

My understanding is that the hinge finish will be P/O.?

They were natural steel with the springs heat treated. After you clean up many years of wear and tear, the closest finish is a "lite" phosphate treatment for the hinge, darker for the springs.
Be advised that blasting with any media will leave some of the media in the pivot areas, so extra steps are involved.
Jim

[NEFaurora]

Great subject, While we are on the issue...

What would the hood hinge finish be for a Dearborn June 24th, 1965 car??

I'm about to re-do my '65's Hood Hinges soon...

)

Tony K.

[J_Speegle]

Any suggestions on how best to prepare the hinges for the phosphate chemical? I'm reluctant to media blast original parts if there are other alternatives. I was at a loss on how to prepare mine and it shows.

Yes blasting will change the surface of the metal. Might try - Evapo Rust - followed by tumbling with ceramic or even (going to be real tough on a hinge) is sanding the suface down to 1500-2000 to redo the original smooth like new metal then plate

[Hipo giddyup]

So would it be "uncommon" to find hinges without date stamps? Would even NOS versions have date stamps as well?

[Brian Conway]

The hinges on my ride are stamped with an  ' OB ' ?  What's that all about ?  Thanks, Brian

[jwc66k]

So would it be "uncommon" to find hinges without date stamps? Would even NOS versions have date stamps as well?

"Uncommon"? Yes. NOS items were sort of exempt from "hard" stamping like the hinges, instead sometimes relying on a paper tag (or box, or bag) that had the part number, order number and date code.
Jim

[aaatp]

Yes blasting will change the surface of the metal. Might try - Evapo Rust - followed by tumbling with ceramic or even (going to be real tough on a hinge) is sanding the suface down to 1500-2000 to redo the original smooth like new metal then plate

After blasting, you can get the original finish back by polishing the metal with a wire wheel mounted on a bench grinder or die grinder. I've done this to many
parts on my car before phosphating or just leaving natural bare steel finish.

John

[Brant]

The hinges on my ride are stamped with an  ' OB ' ?  What's that all about ?  Thanks, Brian

I have seen the "OB" used on later '66 production hood hinges for some reason. I haven't seen it on earlier ones.

[Brian Conway]

Thank you Brant.  The hood on my car is a Ford service replacement and it seems the hinges may have been replaced at the same time.  Brian

[Josep]

I have seen the "OB" used on later '66 production hood hinges for some reason. I haven't seen it on earlier ones.

My hinges says,
Right: OB 5 27 3
Left:  OB 5 24 2

Josep