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.

[Literati914]

I had 4 stock springs on hand when I started putting my project back together - I remember one set being slightly shorter than the other set - not the hooks but the actual coiled sections. So I don't think the length difference is unusual - they are labeled "early and/or late" after all. I went with the shorter ones on my '72, which works well.

I don't see how it makes sense - like you said the hoods are universal... I assume the hood brackets are as well(?). Perhaps the 3-hook tabs are welded on in a slightly different spot? Maybe your '73 (or is it a '74) just needs the early springs.