Passenger side of hood won't stay latched
10-12-2014, 05:07 AM
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Passenger side of hood won't stay latched
Hi All,
Today I noticed that when I drive my '69 coupe over VERY rough roads, the passenger's hood latch releases the hood.
Is this just a sample adjustment to correct?
Cheers,
Matt
Today I noticed that when I drive my '69 coupe over VERY rough roads, the passenger's hood latch releases the hood.
Is this just a sample adjustment to correct?
Cheers,
Matt
10-12-2014, 10:39 AM
#4
Team Owner
I used to carry a wrench on my lap in the car. When the hood popped up I would adjust the receiver slightly. There is a sweet spot; it can take a while to find it.
10-13-2014, 11:23 AM
#5
Instructor
I had the same problem with my 70. Take a piece of painters edge tape and cover the opening of the latch. Pull the hood down and see where the stiker hits the tape. Adjust it so that it hits in the very center of the opening and you're problem is solved.
10-13-2014, 12:37 PM
#6
Team Owner
Member Since: Jul 2004
Location: Redondo Beach, California
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I went to and arts and crafts store and bought some childs modeling clay. Pat it into a round shape about 3/8 inch thick. Open the hood and push the clay 'paddy" over the female latch on the hood. Now gently lower the hood and push to hood down enough so that the male pin, in the body mounted part of the latch, is beginning to try to insert itself. Lift the hood and look at the clay to see what the misalignment is between the female and male parts. This will allow you to align the hood latches with no guessing.
.........and don't forget to take precautions against hood lock out. I get a long piece of insulated circuit wire and tie it to the pivot arm of the latch...i tie it to the driver's side pivot and when I close the hood, the wire protrudes between the closed hood and body on the driver's side. If the hood release handle, under the drivers dash, won't release the hood..I then pull my wire to force the hood opening. This has worked several times to prevent hood lock out. I'd go so far to say this is a MUST precaution to take when mucking around with hood alignment activities.
.........and don't forget to take precautions against hood lock out. I get a long piece of insulated circuit wire and tie it to the pivot arm of the latch...i tie it to the driver's side pivot and when I close the hood, the wire protrudes between the closed hood and body on the driver's side. If the hood release handle, under the drivers dash, won't release the hood..I then pull my wire to force the hood opening. This has worked several times to prevent hood lock out. I'd go so far to say this is a MUST precaution to take when mucking around with hood alignment activities.
10-14-2014, 02:53 AM
#7
Racer
Thread Starter
Thank you all for your responses to my question. 
I think that I'm going to try the clay method, and I will definitely rig up a secondary hood release!
I think that I'm going to try the clay method, and I will definitely rig up a secondary hood release!
10-14-2014, 07:49 AM
#8
Race Director
If your latches are lined up you might find the cable clamp to be too tight? Drivers side, where the cable comes through the firewall. Or the cable that runs across the hood, could be the source of your troubles?
WB
WB