Hood hinge springs

Hi All

I have just finished putting together all the front sheet metal on my 58, and seem to have a problem with the hood springs. The hood wont stay up more than about 6 inches off closed, and for the life of me I cant remember what it used to do - its an age thing.
I thought maybe the springs had got a bit weak, so I put some packing pieces between the spring and the bottom pin, it lifts a little more. Kept adding more but could not get the hood to stay right open at all.
Question is - should it ?
If not, how did mechanics of the day do any service work ? Surely they didn't take the hood right off every time ? Or was there some service locking tool ?

Have checked all the photos I can find, some have hood at a low angle, some have fully up.

Tony