hood latches

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Nov 19, 2011 | 05:35 PM

Bruthish

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 4,812

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From: New Albany IN

St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09

hood latches

I know the hoods are a little different throughout the early years. But are they pretty much the same besides the latches? For example...coule I take the latches off of a '76 hood and put them on a hood that came off my '71(long aftermarket hood) so it would fit the '76 body?

Nov 20, 2011 | 09:10 AM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

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From: Westminster Maryland

Hi B,
Since the 68 through 76 latches were the same I'd think you'd be able to use them. The latch configuration didn't change until 77.
Regards,
Alan

Nov 20, 2011 | 12:52 PM

DZRick

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 5,447

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From: Syracuse NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan 71

Hi B,
Since the 68 through 76 latches were the same I'd think you'd be able to use them. The latch configuration didn't change until 77.
Regards,
Alan

I'm pretty sure the '68-E69 are different and the bolt holes don't line up on the other years.

Nov 20, 2011 | 01:09 PM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,267

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From: Westminster Maryland

Hi DZ,
I took another look and I believe you're right! I lumped everything before 77 together.
Sorry b!
Regards,
Alan

Nov 20, 2011 | 01:20 PM

gbvette62

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From: Shamong, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by DZRick

I'm pretty sure the '68-E69 are different and the bolt holes don't line up on the other years.

The male and female hood latches used in 68-69, are different than 70-76 latches.

You should have no problem using 71 latches, to install the hood on a 76 Corvette.

Nov 20, 2011 | 02:34 PM

Bruthish

Thread Starter

Safety Car

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 4,812

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From: New Albany IN

St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'06-'08-'09

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbvette62

The male and female hood latches used in 68-69, are different than 70-76 latches.

You should have no problem using 71 latches, to install the hood on a 76 Corvette.

nice I hope so! I don't want to fork out the $$$ on a new hood if I could use one I already have! Thanks for the input!

Nov 20, 2011 | 09:57 PM

gbvette62

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2000

Posts: 12,679

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From: Shamong, NJ

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruthish

nice I hope so! I don't want to fork out the $$$ on a new hood if I could use one I already have! Thanks for the input!

The 70 through 76 latches are interchangeable, but the hood itself, may be different. The rear edge of the 71 "long hood", may not line up with the back edge of your 76 fenders.

The 71 fender tops are shorter and flatter, where they meet the windshield, than the 76 fenders. The 71 fenders had a molding on them, at the base of the windshield, so the fender is flat on top. This molding lined up with the molding on the back edge of the wiper door. Long hoods made for 68-72's, have a flatter rear edge than 73 and later hoods, to properly meet the fenders.

The 76 hood has a "flare" at the back edge, to clear the wipers, and the 76 fenders have a flared edge, to me the hood.

Nov 20, 2011 | 11:34 PM

DZRick

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jun 2005

Posts: 5,447

Likes: 3

From: Syracuse NY

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan 71

Hi DZ,
I took another look and I believe you're right! I lumped everything before 77 together.
Sorry b!
Regards,
Alan

I only knew because I had to deal with mismatched latches for my '68. You have so much knowledge about these cars it's a little scary, Alan and now that you got yourself a camera, your like a book!