rmgny44

My passenger side hood latch would occasionally pop open while driving so when the car went into the shop I had it checked out. First they said they had to replace the cross cable because it was frayed and putting constant tension on the latch. Two weeks later the cable came in and they said "hey this doesn't fit because you have the wrong latches." I looked at latches on Ecklers site and although the left latch looks correct the right latch looks different. Can any one identify these?

Alan 71

Hi r,
I'm not sure what year car the right-side latch in your photo is from.
Here's the 71 pair… I believe the pair for your 72 should be the same.
Notice there's a tension spring on just the right-side latch. So although the left-side latch in your photo is similar it may not be the proper configuration for your 72 (?) either.
Regards,
Alan

rmgny44

Thanks Alan! As always you're a wealth of information!
Looks like I can buy the correct latches from Ecklers for under $100.00 for the pair.

Alan 71

Hi r,
Notice the way the cable is attached to the latches too.
There's just one clip in the middle of the hood that stabilizes the cable.
Regards,
Alan

69Vett

you either have a broken cable or some substitute.
notice the cable end of Alan's top picture.
the correct cable has a stamped square, multi-hole, cable length,
adjuster, held in position with a pin.
this allows adjustment for the passenger side latch.

Alan 71

Hi 69,
Notice the 'configuration' of the right-side latch is very different too, not just the way the cable connects to the latch.
Do you recognize that latch?
It doesn't appear to be what was used for 70-72. Is the one on your 69 like the one in my photo or r44's photo?
Might the one in r44's photo be a 68 right-side latch?
Regards,
Alan

jyounane

Hi,

It's like the one on my early 69.

It was used in 68 and early 69, I'm not sure how far into 69 production it was used before it changed to the 70-72 style.


Joe

Alan 71

Hi Joe,
Thanks for the info.
I saw mention of the cable changing but nothing specific about the latches themselves.
Thank You!
Regards,
Alan

rmgny44

Thanks everyone for your input! I guess someone decided not to buy new latches and just used what they had laying around the shop. Surprising since the rest of the restoration was done so well!
I talked to the shop about installing the correct latches but we decided the simplest of jobs could turn into a can of worm so he adjusted the cable and we'll see if that holds before we start changing things.
Thanks again, I knew you guys would figure it out!:

Alan 71

Hi r44,
I'd think the changing of the latches themselves would be pretty straight forward.
It WOULD however mean that the latchs' alignment with the male latches on the cowl would need to be redone…. and that can be a bit tricky.
So..?
Regards,
Alan

ANY chance that it's an earlier hood???

JC68

r44

If your going to stick with the 68 latches and the cable you have I recommend you change the cable connection on the right side. Your current one is not correct and it looks like it is causing fraying. Attached is a picture of the correct configuration for the cable stop mounting.

John

Rescue Rogers

Thats normal on the passenger side for 68's. I've talked to many 68 owners, some of which were original owners, and it still happens to mine, although less fequently with the many adjusts and new parts, but its still annoying. Good luck

rmgny44

Agreed but the thought was what should be a 1/2 hour job could turn into two or three hours and then I'm into it for $300.00 - $400.00

Were all '68 - '72 hoods the same? Is there any definitive way to tell the difference? And don't say look at the latches!

rmgny44

Yes the cable was starting to fray and it was putting constant tension on the latch. It's been adjusted so we'll see if the hood stays closed now.

69Vett

69 for reference.

jeffstuarts

Alan,
Alignment of the hood male and female latches is a simple matter if you use the alignment tool described in the August '68 "Chevrolet Service News" which is shown in the '68-'69 Judging Guide. I made the tool from commonly available large dowels and it automatically aligns the male and female. Works perfectly every time. If anyone wants a copy, PM me and I will scan the 3 pages in and send it to you.
Jeff

BLUE1972

I had the same hood popping issue with my 71. I noticed that the bottom of the male was "rounded". I replaced the Male and the issue went away.

I would love to see the GM way to align the hinges by GM. Please send it if you can. Thank You

I put a piece of tight fitting PVC over the male and it makes adjustment somewhat easy.

Alan 71

Hi Jeff,
Good to hear from you!
I've not seen the alignment method Chevrolet suggested so would be interested in what you have!
Regards,
Alan

Alan 71

Hi,
Is there supposed to be a cable clamp here? and is there one on the left side too?
Regards,
Alan

jeffstuarts

I have attempted to attach the page from the Service News. I hope you all can read it. I will also send photos of my early '69 hood latches and cables later today.
Jeff