914Rubber Hood Springs, Very Conflicted Options

[914Sixer]

Not sure where to go with this but here goes. Got a set of late hood springs. I know I am supposed to compare all parts before starting. First glance everything seemed to be ok. Got the old spring off got the new one ready to go on. Noticed the spring twists NOT even with each other. Took a little extra effort because of twist in hook alignment and put in 1st slot. Hood only 2" off trunk. Moved to 2nd hook, held up up about a foot. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/headbang.gif) What is going on here? 3rd hook is last resort. Short version in my mind something is not right. Hood should stand straight up on 1st hook as shown in picture of orange 75. 2nd hook is for years down the road when it starts to sag.

Now time for serious comparison.
914 spring is 11 5/8" hook to hook
Stock spring is 11" hook to hook
Uneven twist, hooks not on same plane

Going to have to return.

[bdstone914]

I know there are early and late springs but I thought the only difference has the hook end. Dies not make sense the the springs would be different rates as the hoods are universal to all years. I know Restoration Designs also makes them too. I would call Petey and ask ifvearky and late springs are a different rate.
I wonder if you got one early and one late?
Hard to explain how springs could be made different lenght by machine. It also says something about the QC of the manufacturer and supplier.
I have toured Eibach and every springs is tested for spring rate. They make all the springs for Nascar and QC is very tight on them.