hood latch problem on 68 convert
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
hood latch problem on 68 convert
I was complaining a couple weeks ago about the right hood latch popping open and how I finally had to file off some metal on the latch to fix it. Many people advised that the body was flexing (it was) and adding to the problem, especially since I believe it flexed and pushed on the movable part of the latch, causing it to open. I found one thing that made it worse on my car. I'm replacing the wiring harness, so my dash is all apart. I noticed that the brace rods that go from the transmission tunnel to the sides are missing. The PO removed them for some reason, so there is nothing to help brace that part of the car from flexing. I doubt if I can find replacements, so It looks like my blacksmith ability will have to shape the ends and fit new ones in place. One more thing to fix.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 129
I was complaining a couple weeks ago about the right hood latch popping open and how I finally had to file off some metal on the latch to fix it. Many people advised that the body was flexing (it was) and adding to the problem, especially since I believe it flexed and pushed on the movable part of the latch, causing it to open. I found one thing that made it worse on my car. I'm replacing the wiring harness, so my dash is all apart. I noticed that the brace rods that go from the transmission tunnel to the sides are missing. The PO removed them for some reason, so there is nothing to help brace that part of the car from flexing. I doubt if I can find replacements, so It looks like my blacksmith ability will have to shape the ends and fit new ones in place. One more thing to fix.
When was your car built? Your car may have never had them. The brace rods didn't come into production until March or so of 68. You can find them on Ebay pretty easily, but if you have an early car you may not have anything to attach them to.
John
Last edited by JC68; Dec 30, 2015 at 12:05 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
braces
John- build date is Oct 16, 1967. I have the tabs as shown in your photo. The one on the trans tunnel actually has a bolt in it. When I first saw it poking thru the insulation the PO installed I was not sure what it was at first. I did not think about looking on ebay- thought it was an unusual part that nobody would have for sale. I'll look, otherwise it's easy to make a replacement. RA
Racer
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 463
Likes: 129
RA
I'm surprised find that the brace hard points were already in production in Oct. but it took them until March to actually add the braces. GM works in strange ways.
If the hood popping open is really troubling you another thing you may want to look at is adding the metal plate under the latch on the passenger side as on 69 cars. It was meant to prevent cracking of the fiberglass in this area by stiffening it.
John
I'm surprised find that the brace hard points were already in production in Oct. but it took them until March to actually add the braces. GM works in strange ways.
If the hood popping open is really troubling you another thing you may want to look at is adding the metal plate under the latch on the passenger side as on 69 cars. It was meant to prevent cracking of the fiberglass in this area by stiffening it.
John
Last edited by JC68; Dec 30, 2015 at 01:36 AM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
hood latch and brace
RA
I'm surprised find that the brace hard points were already in production in Oct. but it took them until March to actually add the braces. GM works in strange ways.
If the hood popping open is really troubling you another thing you may want to look at is adding the metal plate under the latch on the passenger side as on 69 cars. It was meant to prevent cracking of the fiberglass in this area by stiffening it.
John
I'm surprised find that the brace hard points were already in production in Oct. but it took them until March to actually add the braces. GM works in strange ways.
If the hood popping open is really troubling you another thing you may want to look at is adding the metal plate under the latch on the passenger side as on 69 cars. It was meant to prevent cracking of the fiberglass in this area by stiffening it.
John
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
brace
Ahah. Well I do not have that collar, so.... one more mis-read by me of the PO leaving stuff off the car. The stock radio was gone, so nothing was attached there. Anyway- I no longer have the hood popping problem. RA