What is this bolt and hole for?

[bucket]

I have what i believe to be a factory style line hood in storage that i pulled from a junk yard truck but i cant remember if it had that hole. Are there any distinct ways to tell originals from aftermarket?

If it's red or grey sealer under the paint, it's GM original. If it's black sealer, it needs a closer look to determine.

 

[legopnuematic]

I just wish there were more original hoods around to prove (or disprove) my theories. But the original 70's hoods were already being replaced in the 80's with the factory superseded '79-'80 hoods.

My 76 has the original hood on it, no provision for the third bolt
My 79 had the original hood on it, it did have the provision for the third bolt, but never was equipped with it.
I did acquire those two hoods, one a 79-80 and the other a 73-78. Now I'll have to check the 73-78 one out to see if I can narrow the year down further.

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[bucket]

My 76 has the original hood on it, no provision for the third bolt
My 79 had the original hood on it, it did have the provision for the third bolt, but never was equipped with it.
I did acquire those two hoods, one a 79-80 and the other a 73-78. Now I'll have to check the 73-78 one out to see if I can narrow the year down further.

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If I can remember tomorrow, I'll get a picture of the inside hood release portion that was only on the '77 and later hoods.

 

[shiftpro]

My 76 has the original hood on it, no provision for the third bolt
My 79 had the original hood on it, it did have the provision for the third bolt, but never was equipped with it.
I did acquire those two hoods, one a 79-80 and the other a 73-78. Now I'll have to check the 73-78 one out to see if I can narrow the year down further.

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You removed all the original dirt! Awe man...

 

[TubeTruck]

'79 was then the style line came about.

U sure? Both my '78's had the style line on the front of the hood and I know my Suburban is original. I've read before that it started in '78.


I do remember now that my '78 K10 Stepside had a bolt in the cowl at the end of each fender. I remember looking at them and saying "what are these for?" and removing them lol

 

[Scotty D]

My 79 has the hole (that I always figured was for a light) mine does not have the support pin in the center of the firewall

 

[Kim Burke]

While my '79 crew cab does not have the center post, and never did:

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Oh, you just HAD to pop the hood and show us your crew cab doesn’t have one, LOL. Sexy engine.

 

[Kim Burke]

My 79 has the hole (that I always figured was for a light) mine does not have the support pin in the center of the firewall

Same here, I was thinking about put a light there?

 

[Kim Burke]

Seems to be the recurring factor amongst these trucks

LOL, had to unlike that one three times to like the comment enough. GM had “random” in spades in the 70’s. Hippies must have infiltrated!

 

[gotyourgoat]

While my '79 crew cab does not have the center post, and never did:

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Pretty good excuse to show off that bullet hiding underneath that pos cowl hood.

 

[Snoots]

While my '79 crew cab does not have the center post, and never did:

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There's a hose on one side that's not hooked up.

I'll take that back to my shop and fix it.

 

[79dentside]

My 78 has the under hood hole but no firewall post to go in it. I always thought the hole was an optional light fixture provision.

Same here.

 

[78C10BigTen]

If it's red or grey sealer under the paint, it's GM original. If it's black sealer, it needs a closer look to determine.

I actually didnt look close enough

 

[Keith Seymore]

It's up there with, "why are dogs noses wet" or "why don't European cars have lug studs". Nobody knows.

Changes weren't made willy nilly. No matter how small, every change costs money and an unbelievable amount of angst. I guarantee somebody knows. (Or "knew" - they may not still be around).

There was just so much proliferation over so many years due to so many production and cost constraints and increasing government regulations that it is not obvious to us 40 years after the fact.

My guess would be that frontal barrier tests got harder to pass and the single bolt in the center was no longer effective enough, forcing a move to two total (one in each rear corner).

My '74 Chevelle had two bolts.

K

 

[Keith Seymore]

My 76 has the original hood on it, no provision for the third bolt
My 79 had the original hood on it, it did have the provision for the third bolt, but never was equipped with it.
I did acquire those two hoods, one a 79-80 and the other a 73-78. Now I'll have to check the 73-78 one out to see if I can narrow the year down further.

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You have one bolt on each side. I can see them in your photos.

K