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I need a hood latch for my 68 C3 but I cannot find one on any of the usual online sales outlets. Can anyone guide me? Are the latches the same for multiple years so that I can buy one listed as a later year? Thanks for any guidance offered!
Male or female? I'm not sure what I need. The issue is that the left side of my hood keeps popping open when I hit a mild bump. I was going to replace both the male and female latch parts in an effort to fix the problem.
I understand your answer to say that I can use a left 1969 - 76 latch as long as I use an appropriate male latch part to match the female. Correct?
I have attached a photo of my current latch for clarity.
Thanks for your help!
Alex
Originally Posted by JC68
P.C.
Most of the hood latch parts are not being reproduced so you will have to most likely buy used.
Are you for originality or just functional? Do you need the male or female side of the latch? Both sides changed over the years.
1968's had two versions of the female left latch. Both are functionally interchangeable if you change the cable.
The 68 latches carried over into early 1969. In late 1969 male and female latches were changed.
The L1969-76 left side latch is interchangeable with 1968-E1969 as long as the male latch bolt is also changed to the L1969-76 design.
The L1969-76 right side latch is not interchangeable with 1968-E1969 design as they mount on the hood differently.
Your pic is the female side. Have you checked the alignment of male pin to latch? Is the pin high enough it engages in the latch? You can lubricate this latch and try a bit stronger spring. The one shown look to have lost some pressure.
"The issue is that the left side of my hood keeps popping open when I hit a mild bump. I was going to replace both the male and female latch parts in an effort to fix the problem."
This may very likely be an issue with how the latches are adjusted.
It sounds like the latch on the hood is not fully grasping/seating under the probe on the cowl mounted latch.
The probe could need to be adjusted, or the 'stop' on the cowl latch could need to be adjusted.
Also check that the latch on the hood is fully closing when the cable is released.
A stronger spring? That's a good idea! I'll look into that.
The alignment of the male pin seems right, but I did not know that it was adjustable. I'll look closer at that.
I have adjusted the male end higher and the hood stays closed.
But, at the higher male setting, the hood corner sticks up too high and looks bad. When adjusted down to make the hood edge level with the fender, the hood pops open.
Thanks for your help!
Originally Posted by henrikse
Your pic is the female side. Have you checked the alignment of male pin to latch? Is the pin high enough it engages in the latch? You can lubricate this latch and try a bit stronger spring. The one shown look to have lost some pressure.
Thanks again, Allen. I'll check the adjustments, tighten the spring, lubricate the heck out of it and see what happens! All excellent advice before I replace anything.
Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi PC,
"The issue is that the left side of my hood keeps popping open when I hit a mild bump. I was going to replace both the male and female latch parts in an effort to fix the problem."
This may very likely be an issue with how the latches are adjusted.
It sounds like the latch on the hood is not fully grasping/seating under the probe on the cowl mounted latch.
The probe could need to be adjusted, or the 'stop' on the cowl latch could need to be adjusted.
Also check that the latch on the hood is fully closing when the cable is released.
Thanks again, Allen. I'll check the adjustments, tighten the spring, lubricate the heck out of it and see what happens! All excellent advice before I replace anything.
I agree with Alan, mine was doing the same thing, adjustment and lube
fixed it right up
Hi PC,
The height of the 'probe' is adjustable.
If it's too low you really need to slam the hood to get the latch to 'set' under it.
If it's too high the latch will set under the probe but the hood won't be even /level with the fenders and wiper bay grill.
Regards,
Alan
These 'stops' (one each side)may also come into play if the hood is popping up on it's own.
Here is a photo of my male component. Note the "stop" adjustment screw is all the way down. It is this way on both sides. Is it supposed to have a rubber topper like yours?
There is no way the stop is touching the hood at all. Must it?
PS: Your car looks nice! Maybe some photos of the entire car, sometime?
Last edited by Parodi Cigar; Mar 4, 2018 at 12:42 PM.
Hi PC,
Both cowl mounted latches should have the adjustment bolt and jam nut with the rubber bumper on them.
As I said earlier, the position (height) of the bumpers determines the fit of the hood compared to the hood surround and wiper bay door.
The fit and gaps on the hood should be set first using the stops. Then the latches can be adjusted so that they open and close easily. (You DON'T want to have to drop the hood from high up to get it to latch fully but neither do you want to pull hard on the hood release handle to get it to open.)
I adjust the latches so that I can lower the hood in place and then apply only very little pressure on the rear corners of the hood to set the latches. When you push down on the hood the ring with the spring under it is being depressed so that lever on the latch on the hood will seat under the probe.
So start by getting the bumpers for the hood stops.
Regards,
Alan
"Maybe some photos of the entire car, sometime?"
It's just a very plain base motor car.
If you do need parts, I had some luck with forum Supporting Vendor 1960fi with some similar parts I needed for my ‘69. He likely has the correct ‘68 application hood stuff.
Got it. I'll get new stops first and adjust everything. Thanks a million!
Wow, very nicely done engine. Looks great!
Alex
Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi PC,
Both cowl mounted latches should have the adjustment bolt and jam nut with the rubber bumper on them.
As I said earlier, the position (height) of the bumpers determines the fit of the hood compared to the hood surround and wiper bay door.
The fit and gaps on the hood should be set first using the stops. Then the latches can be adjusted so that they open and close easily. (You DON'T want to have to drop the hood from high up to get it to latch fully but neither do you want to pull hard on the hood release handle to get it to open.)
I adjust the latches so that I can lower the hood in place and then apply only very little pressure on the rear corners of the hood to set the latches. When you push down on the hood the ring with the spring under it is being depressed so that lever on the latch on the hood will seat under the probe.
So start by getting the bumpers for the hood stops.
Regards,
Alan
"Maybe some photos of the entire car, sometime?"
It's just a very plain base motor car.
I will definitely check them out. Thanks for the source!!
Alex
Originally Posted by Vettebuyer6369
If you do need parts, I had some luck with forum Supporting Vendor 1960fi with some similar parts I needed for my ‘69. He likely has the correct ‘68 application hood stuff.
1968 hood latch
