Hood safety latch
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 4
From: Fullerton, CA
Hood safety latch
My '62 hasn't had a hood safety latch on it in probably 15 years. I finally managed to get my hands on one with a good spring and went to install it today..
When opening the hood, you have to push the safety latch toward the windshield to release it, correct? I'll be damned if I cannot remember.
Oriented like that, it doesn't actually appear to catch anything. I don't have anything in the frame side for it to catch - but don't recall removing anything there either (original latch was lost when a body shop pulled my hood to paint it in the mid 90's).
Can someone snap a few pictures of their working hood safety latch setup for me so I can figure out what I am doing wrong or what is missing?
Thanks in advance!
-Cal
When opening the hood, you have to push the safety latch toward the windshield to release it, correct? I'll be damned if I cannot remember.
Oriented like that, it doesn't actually appear to catch anything. I don't have anything in the frame side for it to catch - but don't recall removing anything there either (original latch was lost when a body shop pulled my hood to paint it in the mid 90's).
Can someone snap a few pictures of their working hood safety latch setup for me so I can figure out what I am doing wrong or what is missing?
Thanks in advance!
-Cal
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 4
From: Fullerton, CA
Hmm. That's how I have it installed. It doesnt seem to catch on anything? I can freely open the hood.
Is there something inside of the catch hole that it is supposed to hook? I have a small piece of 12 gauge plate welded flat in there (right where you have the dent) but nothing that the latch grabs.
Is there something inside of the catch hole that it is supposed to hook? I have a small piece of 12 gauge plate welded flat in there (right where you have the dent) but nothing that the latch grabs.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2011
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 258
Likes: 1
From: East SF Bay Area
There is a catch piece spot welded into the hole that you seem to be missing. Hard to photograph, but here's what I got.
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Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 4
From: Fullerton, CA
Interesting. I wonder where the hell that went?
That's what I needed, thanks! I'll have to fabricate something up and see if I can get in there to weld it in place, or just bolt it in.
That's what I needed, thanks! I'll have to fabricate something up and see if I can get in there to weld it in place, or just bolt it in.
Elder User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 957
Likes: 3
From: Valley Center, CA
I recently replaced mine with one in better shape, along with a newer hood release/catch mechanism. Honestly, I don't trust either after NumberDummy shared his adventure of driving down the 101 way back when and having the hood pop open at 60mph!
I also have an aircraft wire safety loop with a carabeener just in case...I'd hate to see my hood fold up.
Jason
I also have an aircraft wire safety loop with a carabeener just in case...I'd hate to see my hood fold up.
Jason
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Hood popping is mostly the result of no maintenance. Servicing the latch, keeping it well lubed and making sure the safety latch isn't bent & catches will keep the ol hood on & you worry free.
John
John
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 785
From: Simi Valley, CA
People tend to slam the heavy hood down. Over time, this bends the upper grille panel area that the hood latch fits into...downwards.
Sooner or later, the hood flies up! This jazz affects all 1961/79's, but, in my experience, it affects 1967/72's the worst.
And, IMO, the safety catch is darn near useless. Once air gets under the hood at speed with a bent grille panel, up she goes!
Sooner or later, the hood flies up! This jazz affects all 1961/79's, but, in my experience, it affects 1967/72's the worst.
And, IMO, the safety catch is darn near useless. Once air gets under the hood at speed with a bent grille panel, up she goes!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 24,552
Likes: 74
From: Creedmoor, North Carolina
Bill, I have no experience with a bump, and have never lost a hood. Years ago I used to have issues with my hood popping. Since I straightened my latch ***. & starting lubing my hinges and latch I haven't had a hood pop in years. Working on the latch was one of the first things that I did to my current truck.
What I am trying to get across is you can greatly reduce the chance of a loss with a little preventative maintenance.
John
What I am trying to get across is you can greatly reduce the chance of a loss with a little preventative maintenance.
John
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 40
Likes: 4
From: Fullerton, CA
My '62 hasn't had a hood safety latch on it in probably 15 years. I finally managed to get my hands on one with a good spring and went to install it today..
When opening the hood, you have to push the safety latch toward the windshield to release it, correct? I'll be damned if I cannot remember.
Oriented like that, it doesn't actually appear to catch anything. I don't have anything in the frame side for it to catch - but don't recall removing anything there either (original latch was lost when a body shop pulled my hood to paint it in the mid 90's).
Can someone snap a few pictures of their working hood safety latch setup for me so I can figure out what I am doing wrong or what is missing?
Thanks in advance!
-Cal
When opening the hood, you have to push the safety latch toward the windshield to release it, correct? I'll be damned if I cannot remember.
Oriented like that, it doesn't actually appear to catch anything. I don't have anything in the frame side for it to catch - but don't recall removing anything there either (original latch was lost when a body shop pulled my hood to paint it in the mid 90's).
Can someone snap a few pictures of their working hood safety latch setup for me so I can figure out what I am doing wrong or what is missing?
Thanks in advance!
-Cal
Haaaa.
I sold this truck in 2016 and just rebought it. Still has that latch problem. Googled trying to find an answer and was really excited to see this post, until I saw that it was me, same truck, same problem .. 15 years later.
Looks like some good info in here though! I never saw updates on this thread back in the day.
Last edited by ajcal225; Mar 24, 2026 at 03:56 PM.
