Hood latch stuck closed

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Jul 10, 2017 | 06:49 PM

#16

tip49

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 2,757

Likes: 138

From: Alberta Canada

Secondary latch

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbytnm

I'm glad you got it open. These hoods did have a secondary safety latch, well they did when the left the factory. I've only seen pictures and have never seen a hood with one in place....lol

Happy cruising!
Bobby

Bobby, mine does have the secondary safety latch which holds it from completely releasing. I never have trusted the latch at highway speed so the strap has been my backup for the last 5 years. I will put more thought into it later, but for now going to rack up some miles.

Jul 10, 2017 | 08:22 PM

#17

Tedster9

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Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 19,311

Likes: 97

From: Waterloo, Iowa

Once you've had a hood pop at highway speed, you'll never fully trust the vintage hood latch or safety catch again, ever, especially under those conditions when the wind direction is just so and then a big semi comes by in the other lane, and the wind blast knocks yer socks off and rattles yer fillings?

Jul 10, 2017 | 08:33 PM

#18

Doc

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 4,963

Likes: 261

From: East KY

Quote:

Originally Posted by tip49

Was able to open hood by moving latch pin with a stick of wood. The latch pin was seated as Schoo's picture showed. The pin was adjusted way too loose, so I removed the jamb nut and screwed the pin down/in until the hood closed and latched. The pin should sit in the collar but not protrude above the rim. I
re-installed the jamb nut and put my strap on hood back in place.

I'm going to re-think the latching mechanism in the fall, but for now back to cruisin'.

Thanks for all the input, it helped as always.

Been there. Done that. I used a skinny piece of re-bar steel and a hammer to move that pin and get it unlocked. I made the adjustments needed, and it's never happened again for several years. I'd say you're good to go. It's one of those things that you cannot really understand how it happens or how big of a PITA it is until it happens to you and you have to deal with it. Good job on figuring it out and correcting the problem.

Jul 10, 2017 | 08:58 PM

#19

way2rod

Senior User

Joined: Dec 2016

Posts: 148

Likes: 0

From: London, Ontario

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoo

That's a great idea - when your just running around town leave the pin out.... if your headed out of town throw the pin in. Simple but effective. I've saved it and will use it later thanks.
Zac

Jul 10, 2017 | 09:38 PM

#20

schoo

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 4,392

Likes: 44

From: placer county usa?

Quote:

Originally Posted by way2rod

That's a great idea - when your just running around town leave the pin out.... if your headed out of town throw the pin in. Simple but effective. I've saved it and will use it later thanks.
Zac

I leave it in because I have CRS and would be gone for sure

Jul 11, 2017 | 04:57 AM

#21

petemcl

Logistics Pro

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 4,685

Likes: 81

From: Northville, MI

Fixing the root cause of the primary popping open would be best. The pin idea is nice insurance.

Jul 11, 2017 | 10:45 AM

#22

schoo

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2012

Posts: 4,392

Likes: 44

From: placer county usa?

Quote:

Originally Posted by petemcl

Fixing the root cause of the primary popping open would be best. The pin idea is nice insurance.

agree I welded a little spot on the latch keeper(the part that holds the pin) it had worn down also on the round rim where the latch keeper hits and just tightened up the whole thing

Jul 11, 2017 | 11:22 AM

#23

tip49

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 2,757

Likes: 138

From: Alberta Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by schoo

I agree with pete that there is a lot of movement and not allways in the same direction and that extra pin of mine may make things worse by restricting hood movement?

There probably is constant flex in the frame and hood that may cause it to pop open, but I think adjusting the latch pin is a starting point to ensure the hood doesn't fly up. A more flexible safety latch (cable or chain) might work as a safety.

I have other parts I could modify, but I would really like to keep the hood stock for the truck.

The strap works fine for now. I'm not concerned about the hood flying up crusing around town; just use the strap when I am on the open road.

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Jul 11, 2017 | 06:16 PM

#24

bobbytnm

Roast em' if you got 'em

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 22,000

Likes: 9,897

From: Rio Rancho, NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tedster9

Four out of five 67 through 72 Ford trucks that I've owned have had the hood blow open. Take a look at the 67-72 trucks, a lot of the cabs have the tell-tale square dent above the windshield from the hood coming open.

It sure puts some butt nuggets in your britches!

Bobby

Jul 12, 2017 | 12:17 AM

#25

ALBUQ F-1

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 27,294

Likes: 1,055

From: NM

Used to be a big problem on the Brit cars, too. A friend of mine had the hood on his MG come up and being flimsy aluminum, when it hit the windshield header, it just bent over and smacked him on the head (top was down), knocked him out!