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Author Topic: Hood Hinge Boots  (Read 2403 times)

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Offline cossiepinto

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Hood Hinge Boots
« on: January 12, 2019, 01:03:03 PM »
This is probably not the first time for this subject, but I wanted to let the group know that I send and email to Steele Rubber Products (steelerubber.c om), pestering them about making these boots available.  I bet they could sell the heck out of them here, and told them so.


Let's see if they respond.


Regards to all.


Paul Ramsey (a.k.a. cossiepinto)

Offline JoeBob

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2019, 09:06:11 PM »

I got sick before I got to that part. I sold my project on. This is what I was going to try. Take cardboard and tape together a box the size of the boot. Spray the box inside and out with plastidip. My other idea was just get innertube rubber and wrap the hinge as if it were contained in a pouch. Then twist wire holding pouch opening closed around the metal leg protruding out of the inset hole.
Don't have a clue if this will work.
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Deuteronomy 7:9

Offline cossiepinto

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2019, 12:37:31 PM »
I have considered using light weight aluminum to make a "box" around the hinges that I can put through the hole.  I fear that the hole is too small to put anything solid through it, however.  The Cosworth Pinto doesn't even have a heater, but I don't really want under hood gases seeping into the interior, which I fear will happen without some kind of seals at the hinges. 


I've seen people say some Fox-bodied Mustangs use a similar boot, but it "doesn't fit", citing bolt hole differences, but no other details.  I'd like to investigate if there are other insurmountable reasons why they won't work. 


I threw away boots I had on hand a long time ago, thinking I could purchase new ones once I needed them, so I don't even have old boots I can repair enough to use as a mold for making them out of spray plastic.


Now I'm just hoping we can persuade some company like Steele to make them for us.

Offline warhead2

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2019, 05:57:28 AM »
I believe that the Mustang 2 boots will work but one of the bolt holes is in the wrong spot i could be wrong. Im surprised no Pinto owners have tried to make a silicone cast and make it out of silicon. Same thing with the transmission clutch boot.

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Offline warhead2

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #4 on: January 27, 2019, 04:13:50 AM »

Offline Reeves1

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2019, 06:40:00 AM »
I'm ordering a set today. I can see the bolt holes are different, but I want to set them on the bench side by side to compare them.
Only way I know to know for sure.....

Offline warhead2

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2019, 06:59:25 AM »
Cool post pics on here of them side by side

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Offline Reeves1

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #7 on: January 28, 2019, 09:10:58 AM »
Will do.

Offline cossiepinto

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2019, 05:26:30 PM »
Yes, I'm very interested in how they compare.  If it's just bolt hole location (I think the Pinto ones are aligned and the Mustang ones are offset), then that's not such a big deal.  If they just won't even go into the hole, or don't fit for some other reason, then we'll see for ourselves.  I'm looking forward to seeing the side-by-side comparison.

Offline Reeves1

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2019, 06:43:27 AM »
UPS claims my address is wrong (isn't) and they are stuck in Edmonton.

Calling them today.....

Offline Reeves1

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2019, 05:30:40 PM »
Finally got them.
Will not work for my 72.
They are about 3/4" too short.
I slid my hinge into the boot & it still had to go in another inch or so.




Maybe they would work with the hinges they list ? No idea.
If someone wants me to send these boots to them & they want to order the hinges.....the n see if they would work ?
Boots are no good to me....

Offline cossiepinto

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #11 on: February 12, 2019, 10:17:15 AM »
Reeves, thanks for taking one for the team.  I'm guessing the hinges wouldn't work at all....geometr y would be different, even if they would bolt up to the underside of the Pinto hood.  I guess you could re-ebay them.  Btw, Steele Industries has not replied to my email.  I will see if I can call them, and will let the group know if they express any interest in manufacturing the original boots.  I really think there's a market for them here, but I have no idea what tooling costs would be for these...maybe prohibitive to do so.

Offline Reeves1

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #12 on: February 12, 2019, 10:33:16 AM »
I too sent an e mail to Steel. Not about the boots though.
I wanted to know if their prices were USD or CDN.
Plus I wanted a better deal for all I need for 2 cars.
Their prices are high...

I had thought the boots for the blue car were toast.
They are good & I can re-use them.

Offline cossiepinto

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #13 on: February 14, 2019, 12:14:51 PM »
Yeah, some of their stuff is a bit pricey.  I still have some NIB door and window gaskets and felts from Ford.  They've been in their original boxes/bags for many years, though.  I hope they will still be serviceable when I'm ready for them.  Otherwise, Steel is going to get a bunch of my $$, too.  They haven't answered my email about the boots, so I guess the next step is to call.
I imagine tooling would be tough, especially if they had to start from scratch, without even a pair of boots on hand, so I expect the boots to be ex$pensive!

Offline warhead2

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #14 on: February 14, 2019, 01:03:35 PM »
When i get a chance i will pull a boot from my 77 project to see if it looks the same as the new. If so it will probably only work for 75 or 76 thru 80. Thanks for posting the pics.

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Offline Reeves1

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #15 on: February 15, 2019, 07:59:13 AM »
warhead2   PM your address & I'll send these boots to you.

Be nice for folks to know if they'll fit newer Pintos.

Offline warhead2

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #16 on: March 02, 2019, 03:01:19 AM »
I finally took off one of my hinges and boot. Definitely a match to the Mustang boot.

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #17 on: March 10, 2019, 07:54:56 AM »
warhead2 - PM your address & I'll send these to you - free. Just let everyone know & post pictures.

Offline warhead2

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #18 on: March 10, 2019, 08:06:15 AM »
Sent

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Offline Reeves1

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #19 on: March 10, 2019, 11:17:15 AM »
Got your msgs.
Try & send next Monday.

Offline cossiepinto

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #20 on: April 03, 2019, 05:51:29 AM »
Ok, folks.  I got an email reply from Steele Industries to my suggestion that they consider adding these boots to their inventory:

"My parts department told me unfortunately at this time we’re not interested in tooling this part.  Sorry I couldn't help you with your part need, but thank you for your interest in our parts and if you need my assistance do not hesitate to contact me directly at hmorgan@steelerubber.comor by phone at (800) 544-8665 EXT 219."

Looks like they won't be a supplier.  It might help if some of you who seriously would buy a pair to contact them.  Maybe a show of strength in numbers would sway them.

Offline Wittsend

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #21 on: April 03, 2019, 11:05:17 AM »
Perhaps there is something available from another field.  On my Tiger the steering column is sealed with a leather piece.  I just couldn't bring myself to use leather. My stepfather has rubber pieces that seemed designed to go over electrical conduit and be flexible. I simply opened one end to the steering shaft size and clamped other end to the column tube.

Maybe there are things available in the medical or scientific community that have a similar shape and are adaptable as Pinto boots. Maybe there are boots for levers on industrial equipment that can be adapted (even if it requires plugging an opening for the lever). In some ways these hood boots look a bit like boots for floor brake levers. Meaning bolt-able to a floor and a right angle turn out an opening (which could be plugged).  Or, maybe some one here good at molding and can recreate then from a pour-able, pliable substance.

I just start a search on Google Images for "Lever Boots." Ran out of time but if we all look with appropriate terms maybe we can find a substitute. Remember it need not look like a Pinto hood boot.  It just needs to mount properly (may need trimming) and as for the hinge, it need not be solid but I'd think an accordion type boot would move with the hinge. After all it hides under the cowl.

Offline Reeves1

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #22 on: April 03, 2019, 04:06:24 PM »
warhead2 - shipped March 12 - you get them ?

Offline warhead2

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #23 on: April 03, 2019, 04:18:54 PM »
No i have not but will double check

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #24 on: April 04, 2019, 06:37:02 AM »
I believe someone did a repair of an old boot using a dipping process like is used on tool handles.  That might work well, but I'd have to have boots to do the mold in the first place.

I did reply to the lady at Steele that there would very likely be many people who'd buy them if they are produced.  Maybe some here could use that email or phone number and let them know you need them, too.

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #25 on: April 04, 2019, 01:21:38 PM »
I like the tool dip idea!

 It might just do to dip the old boot and not even make a mold to make one completely new.  If the old boot has tears I'd consider putting a flexible mesh across any tear.  Hobby stores have very thin fiberglass sheets for model planes. Basically you are just recoating the old boot sort of like a retread tire.

  Hey Phil Swift sells spray Flexseal! Just spray, no dipping.  And if it is good enough for a screen door bottomed boat..., it might just get the job done for Pinto hinge boots.

Offline cossiepinto

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Re: Hood Hinge Boots
« Reply #26 on: April 04, 2019, 01:38:17 PM »
True.  I believe someone used duct tape to seal the tears in the original piece, then dipped it in some kind of flexible plastic/rubber liquid.  Seemed to work ok.

My problem, right now, is that I don't even have bad ones to experiment with.  That may have been Steele's concern....whe re to get good ones to make the mold.

I know where there's a Pinto or two that have been sitting for a long time.  They may still have boots (even rotting ones) that I can get.  We'll see.

Meanwhile, I'd like to see some others contact Steele and make them aware how many of us there are who'd surely like new ones!