Tom Austin

I knew I should have taken some measurements before taking my car all apart last year!!! Now that it's all back together and back on the road I have a problem keeping the hood latched. When I drive it and hit a bump, the hood pops open. I know I had this same problem many years ago and only thru trial and error did I get the bumpers adjusted correctly. Can anyone take a measurement for me . . . the distance from the latch assembly to the top of the hood bumpers on each side??? Many thanks!!!

Tom

Nev Williams

I've just spent what seemed like half the day fiddling with this.
I could not find any info on dimensions so just had to trial and error.
Start by measuring down from body surface in latch area to top of latch plate, this will at least give you a datum measurement to start with.
With the bonnet up I used a piece of thick nylon plastic taped to body to reproduce the slight curve of bonnet in the latch area. Then with a pair of vernier calipers measured the distance from the top of bonnet to top of washer on bonnet pin. After this it's a bit of simple addition and subtraction to arrive at a figure to shoot for.

Neville

jackhays

Nev, I kept my parts at the measured settings and still had the pop open issue after restoration.
I think the new hood seal was thicker and putting pressure across the baord.
Anyway I solved my opening issue by pushing the hood open handle forward after I closed and latched the hood.
It's cheap to try and apparently my cable was not sliding all the way forward and did not let the latches close completely.
Give it a try.

Dennis Beck

I don't think your bumper adjustment and the hood popping open are related. It is probably the alignment of the hood pin in the female hood latch. But first be sure your hood release handle is seated all the way back into the bracket after you pull it to open your hood. Next check the adjustment in the cables that attach to each hood latch. Are they moving freely and tightly adjusted? Are the hood latches, female part, clean and lubricated properly with a little light grease? Alignment of the hood pin in the female latch. Is the side that is popping aligned properly? To see where you are place some tin foil over each latch opening and close the hood just enough to begin to mark the tin foil. Do the pins seem to be centered? If not adjust the female latch on the firewall left or right to center. Last idea would be the condition of your latches and pins. Do they seem to be in good enough condition that you could expect them to work properly? I had one side on my '66 that would not release and the tin foil test showed that side was out of alignment. Adjusted that side and it has been fine ever since. Hope some of this helps.

Dennis

Hitch

Is one side worse than the other? Start with the side that is the worse, Use a large screw driver to screw out the pin that is on the hood. It could also be that the latches themself are not allowing the pin to fully engage. If you have replaced the latches also during your restoration you may have to adjust the wires that actually pull the latches open. I know that this is not as descriptive as I would like but it should get you going. Dave

606501Z

Wow, my second post of the night, after soo long without. I have had the hood off of my 65 cpe many times and never a problem until the last time. The right side kept popping up. Did all kinds of adjusting, then realized just the other day that the little screw clamp was just a little too tight/close to the hood catch on right side. Moved it out about 1/8 inch and presto, no problem. When the left side shut, it was pulling the right side open just enough to not allow it catch and hold.
Good luck.

67-427ci

Here is a little hint posted by JohnZ some time ago. Stretch some tin foil over the latches and drop the hood down till the latch pin starts to penetrate the tin foil. Lift the hood and you can see exactly how the latch is aligned with the pin. From there you can make your latch adjustments. Did this when I reinstalled my hood this winter. Worked great.
Roy

Tom Austin

Guys,

Thanks for all of the replies. It seems the passenger side is the culprit (at least that side pops open first!). Lots of good ideas . . .I'll start with the tin foil to make sure the pins are centered.

Tom

Nev Williams

This is why this forum is so great
- a simple solution to a nagging problem