Hood Corners Pop Open While Driving
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: No longer in Heaven
Hood Corners Pop Open While Driving
'69 BB 427/435 vert.
I've searched and can only find the opposite problem, the hood stuck closed.
Problem is that one corner or both will pop open while driving. I have tried several adjustments of the cable and the pins, but it just doesn't seem to help.
Two big issues, driving down the highway at 75 and having them pop, and now second, adjusting them poorly and having them get stuck closed or screwing up the cable release.
I think I'll hook a cable up to the latch and run it down to the wheel well to avoid having it stuck closed (similar to a forum solution found searching) but I don't know what to do to keep them closed.
Ideas or experience?
I've searched and can only find the opposite problem, the hood stuck closed.
Problem is that one corner or both will pop open while driving. I have tried several adjustments of the cable and the pins, but it just doesn't seem to help.
Two big issues, driving down the highway at 75 and having them pop, and now second, adjusting them poorly and having them get stuck closed or screwing up the cable release.
I think I'll hook a cable up to the latch and run it down to the wheel well to avoid having it stuck closed (similar to a forum solution found searching) but I don't know what to do to keep them closed.
Ideas or experience?
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Is the hood itself/latches/pins assembly all as original? I had a similar problem where I had an aftermarket early 69 hood with late pins. There are "early" design pins (more rounded, called "tulips") and "late" pins (more "triangular") and they affect this. If the pins arent the right ones for the latches, they wont seat correctly. My hood would pop while driving.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 561
Likes: 1
From: No longer in Heaven
Is the hood itself/latches/pins assembly all as original? I had a similar problem where I had an aftermarket early 69 hood with late pins. There are "early" design pins (more rounded, called "tulips") and "late" pins (more "triangular") and they affect this. If the pins arent the right ones for the latches, they wont seat correctly. My hood would pop while driving.
Thanks, I don't know. The car is very original, and the pins look like the triangular type, I would guess. This just started happening out of the blue. I read a post that said to use some duct tape on the hood (female) side, lower the hood gently and see where the pins hit the tape, ie. the placement of the latch and then adjust. I've tried several adjustments, but not the tape idea yet.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 613
Likes: 3
From: Fleetwood PA
No help here because I have the same problem on my 68 BB. I've also tried a number of adjustments with no solution. I'm about ready to put hood pins on it and be done with the cable system all together. It's a NOM car thats had mods done, so it won't be a big deal for me. The one thing I did notice when I removed the mechanism for painting is that my main cable from the firewall seemed to have almost no slack in it.(I have it apart for motor rebuild now) I wonder if it was not letting the latch engage completely. Might be something to check.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 576
From: Pace Florida
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
National Champs Gators 4 St. Jude '09
I'm having this issue with my 68, mainly when I go over big bumps like railroad tracks. I've adjusted the latch so it doesn't happen as often and may just need to adjust it a little more.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 861
Likes: 0
From: WNY
I had the same problem on my 74 - It is an aftermarket L88 hood and was shimmed up pretty highly off the front latches with washers. When I put the hood back on after the motor swap, I removed a few of the washers and I havent had the problem since.
The way our hood latches are, if the hood is slightly out of alignment it doesnt seem to hold down that great. now that mine is lined up better it shuts better, opens easier, and no longer pops out on its own.
The way our hood latches are, if the hood is slightly out of alignment it doesnt seem to hold down that great. now that mine is lined up better it shuts better, opens easier, and no longer pops out on its own.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 51
From: Cartersville GA
I had the same problem. Taped over the receiver holes and lightly set the hood down on the pins to get them centered, then adjusted the pin hieght. The hood hasn't popped open again for some time.
I also recall that the hinge receiver latch edge was a little worn, and I did some minor fileing to remove any burrs/rounded edges on both the latch edges and pin edges where they engage.
I also recall that the hinge receiver latch edge was a little worn, and I did some minor fileing to remove any burrs/rounded edges on both the latch edges and pin edges where they engage.
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