Hood Fitment on 48 F-3

[gearhead1952]

If it holds the hood up then springs are fine. I have worked on several of these and found the lower hinge pivot that bolts to the cowl is the culprit. Take the hinge off and get penetrating oil down in that lower pin and work the bracket back and forth. Will probably be very stiff. They get rusty down in there so end up getting tight when the hood closes. The back of the hood will drop down as you close the hood and just before it latches when it is all freed up.