Looking for a raised hood for a 1990 duster?

Question

I am in the process of restoring a 1990 Plymouth duster with front end damage. Problem is... The hood looks like it cannot be fixed. I don't want to pay the $300 plus for a new one. Any ideas as to where I could find a used on in the Joliet, IL area?

Answer 1

By "raised hood", you mean cowl induction?

Answer 2

Unless the engine has some type of aftermarket performance equipment, a raised hood is not needed. I have a '93 Sundance Duster with a stock 2.5 four cylinder and a '94 Shadow ES with a stock 3.0 V-6, both with raised hoods. I used a metal straight edge from fender to fender on both cars and neither had any engine parts above the bottom edge of the device.

I think both cars look sportier with the bulged hoods and spoilers, but the hood is not needed on mine and I doubt one is needed on yours unless you are doing some major engine modifications, but then it wouldn't be a restoration, it would be a "restification".

Answer 3

There are two types of bulge hoods for P-body cars.

One for the four cylinder cars, the other for 3.0.  You can't use a four cylinder hood on a 3.0 car.  It wouldn't close without damaging the hood.

The only difference in the two hoods is really one thing.  The bracing is adjusted to clear the 3.0's intake manifold.  The reason you need a bulge hood is because Chrysler never made a regular shadow with a 3.0

You can use sites like www.car-parts.com to locate a 3.0 hood.