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Need hood latch advice....Big Block or Small Block latches?
I have the original small block male and female latches and with the original SB hood, and aftermarket BB hood I had no issues. When I installed the BB years ago I also went with a L88 hood that is half the weight as the previous two hoods. The BB was pretty radical and would pop the hood. Now with the LS2 it's a smooth idle and still pops the hood.
Now I see there are different part numbers for the latches for SB and BB. I didn't have the problem with the aftermarket hoods, but now I do with the L88 hood.
Never saw a difference in SB vs. BB catches. I do know that there is a difference between 68 - early 69 passenger side catches compared to later 69 up versions.
The hood in that area is molded differently and the large rivet bump is in a different location. The catches accommodate the bump & use a different cross cable.
Are both sides opening? Maybe some adjustment is needed or the pins/catches are worn
Corey: SB/BB the same. However, GM did make a design change during the 69 model year. The major changes involved the passenger-side latch and the "teepee" profiles.
The 1st pic shows the 68-E69 design of the pass. latch. It won't bolt (w/o modification) to a L69-76 hood. This is the problem I have (early latch, late hood). My hood will pop at that corner. The second pic shows the L69-76 design. Hope this helps.
I wish it were that easy Lou, I've adjusted the he'll out of this thing.
Here's how I set up mine:
Removed pins and adjusted hood until I was happy with the gaps
Adjusted the stop bumpers so the hood surface would be even with the top of the fenders
Reinstall the pins
Tape over the catches and lower the hood slowly the hood to dent the tape. You'll probably need to re-tape a couple of times
Adjust latches until the the pins are centered in the opening
Adjust pin height until hood closes securely and even with the top of the fenders. Start high and work your way down.
If the catches are worn offset the latch towards the pin slightly to grab better. If the bottom of the pins are worn and/or rounded then I'd replace them.
Corey: SB/BB the same. However, GM did make a design change during the 69 model year. The major changes involved the passenger-side latch and the "teepee" profiles.
The 1st pic shows the 68-E69 design of the pass. latch. It won't bolt (w/o modification) to a L69-76 hood. This is the problem I have (early latch, late hood). My hood will pop at that corner. The second pic shows the L69-76 design. Hope this helps.
Here's what the hoods look like with out the catches installed;
68 - early 69. This is a repro hood
69 up - this is my original 70 hood
Notice how the bump out for the one rivet is along the back edge on the 68 - early 69 hood and along the side on the 70 hood. Very easy to miss this detail. It can also be difficult to find the early style catch
Good post, every time I put the latch pin assy on, the passenger side won't release no matter how I've adjusted it. Now I have some checking to do. Thanks. T
Both the female latches and male pins, will wear out. The edges of the mating surfaces round off, and once this happens, no amount of adjustment will keep them latched.
Both the female latches and male pins, will wear out. The edges of the mating surfaces round off, and once this happens, no amount of adjustment will keep them latched.
Hey is my passenger side hood and latch. I'm thinking they just might be worn which was my first assumption.
What a timely post Corey. My 68 has a long hood and pops up when I hit a pothole. Driving me nuts. I will take a look this weekend and see if I have anything to share. Good luck!
Hard to tell from the picture, but I checked the one I have available. Has the same radius with a bevel on the side that engages the pin but the back side is flat and almost a knife edge, the side that sits against the bottom of the pin. The spring tension is pretty stiff as well.
When adjusting hood alighnment, I tie a piece of small insulated wire to the driver's side latch arm that connects to the passenger's side. I then trail the wire outside of the hood when it's closed. If the internal hood release doesn't work, I pull my wire...no hood lockout.
Also, to align the hood, I buy some childs modeling clay. Roll it in a thin sheet and press against the female latch opening in the hood. Gently lower the hood and see where the body pin attacks the hood..misalignment is readily visable. Adjust the body pin slowly until the clay show the pin is going straight into the female hood latch...Then slam the hood down. If things still didn't match up, just pull the safety wire I described above and the hood will pop loose for another attempt at adjusting. ....Have you ever had so much fun in your life?? You should charge people money to experience a hood adjusting experience.
09-28-2014, 06:51 PM
Need hood latch advice....Big Block or Small Block latches?
