I get it....I think it is a nice modification. My only point was, I think there is a way re-hab the factory springs instead of pitching them.
Interestingly, with the spring binding, my hinges bowed too....so much , I put clear thick helicopter tape on the adjacent freshly painted fender area of my silver HemiDuster to protect it. It embarrassingly creaked and groaned until it finally froze up to where I didn't want to chance opening the hood. I gingerly removed the hinge assembly thru the inner fender with the hood down. First I greased the snot out of it. Then before I re-installed it, I put it on my mule that has the hinge exposed (no fender) and with a bar bolted to it for leverage, gave it the ol up/ down until it free-ed up. Now, same hinge with same now greased , free moving spring....virtually no bowing. IMO....I think the bound up springs causes the excessive bowing.
Love your build....been watching since you started the thread.