79 Hood Latch
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
From: Asheville N.C.
Was under the hood doing some detailing and remembered this while I was knit-pickin some things.
Thanks STL'79 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
From: Asheville N.C.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
All 4 of mine need to be pushed back in, all low mile Vettes. Never bothered me.
As mentioned, perhaps remove the inner cable and lube it up, but then risk having oil drip onto your carpet over time as you pull it out to pop the hood.
I purchased a set of original latches last spring to replace the ones I had chrome plated on my black79. These "new" ones had an additional spring on the driver side(I think they came off an 81), perhaps to assist in pulling the handle back in. I took it off as it was not correct for 79.
Plus, I'd hate to add any more resistance to the cable for concerns of breakage.
As mentioned, perhaps remove the inner cable and lube it up, but then risk having oil drip onto your carpet over time as you pull it out to pop the hood.
I purchased a set of original latches last spring to replace the ones I had chrome plated on my black79. These "new" ones had an additional spring on the driver side(I think they came off an 81), perhaps to assist in pulling the handle back in. I took it off as it was not correct for 79.
Plus, I'd hate to add any more resistance to the cable for concerns of breakage.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
Mine doesn't either. I pull it, and just push it back in right away.It works just fine............ My latch to latch cable however, is coming out of it's plastic casing, so I ordered an NOS replacement. I thought it would be here today but no go.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 336
Likes: 1
From: Asheville N.C.
When you say mechanism are you meaning the latch system under the hood and or the cable system?
Any particular lube?
Thanks ED Hey Jeff, hmmmm NOS
good for you, let me know if the handle retracts back. ED
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,647
Likes: 1
From: East Aurora N.Y.
St. Jude Donor '10
Dr. Rebuild has 'em...$42.50....I think that I will lube the locking mechs ...I've never known mine to retract on it's own, but apparently some guys do....The cable that I got has nothing to do with this situation though. I got the one that is under the hood that goes from latch to latch across the top of the firewall and is held by two clips on the distributor cover.....Lube the latches with some silicone spray ...There must be springs in them. I never looked but I'll find out today. I'll keep you posted.
