1971 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Delta Royale convertible from North America - Comments

Interior needs some attention - one split front seat, clock not working, dashboard instrument panel lights do not work (changed fuses for clock and panel lights, but still no go).

Replaced soft-top 2 years ago and about to change motor which operates convertible top.

I own this model car and I love it - however, I have an embarrassing question that I didn't really want to make public - but - here goes:

By the way I am a Brit and have been over here for 18 years now - I mention this only as I purchased this car from a fellow Brit who is also a great friend of mine and who owned the car before me for 15 years - so I know a lot of the history of the car.

There was only one other (the original) owner from where the car was initially purchased in California - and for the last 21 years it has been in Houston - where when I purchased it - although the paint was very good, I had the paint totally stripped down to bare metal and had some panels replaced where there had been previous damage in earlier years - and totally re-painted in the original color by... of... in Houston, who did a really remarkable and professional job!

Well after all that - my embarrassing question is that when I pop the hood to check the engine - the hood is supported by struts on either side of the engine compartment. These appear to "lock" into place while the hood is up - however, when it comes to closing the hood, I cannot budge it!! - It seems to want to be lowered on the passenger side, but the driver side appears to lock into position and while I think there must be a release so that the strut may be lowered, I cannot find it.

Can you tell me if I am being dumb here please (?) - I have resorted to placing a piece of timber under the hood to support it in a 3/4 open position - but for such a cool car - it is an insult to it to have to do this.

If you can help me with this - or know of anyone that can - I would really appreciate hearing from you.

If by "struts", you mean gas charged cylinders, then someone replaced the original hood hinges, because no American car used struts to support the hood in 1971.

If you are referring to the original hood hinges with springs, there is no "lock" to release. What is happening is that the hinges are binding from wear after 35+ years of moving a heavy hood up and down. I would try lubricating all the moving pivot points of both hinges first (use white lithium grease spray, NOT WD-40 or any other silicone spray).

If this does not fix it, you will need to replace one or both hinges. It is important that you get this fixed, as binding hinges will eventually cause the back corners of the hood to bend up... then you will need not only new hinges, but also a hood repair or replacement!