Hood Pins VS Rubber "T latches"

Eric P · 01-13-2006, 06:35 AM

I'm waffling back and forth which to use (early car hood and rear lid). Personally I like the look of pins better but they might be heavier (ever so slightly) and harder to mount. Looking at vintage pics, it seems the factory used rubber "Ts" and many privateer racers used pins. Probably due to availability.

Any thoughts. Anyone use one or the other and regret or wish they had used to opposite? If I use pins, I'd use the kind that retains the clip.

Wil Ferch · 01-13-2006, 07:04 AM

I'd reconsider the weight assumption you've made...a big slab of rubber will likely weigh more than a smallish metal pin and rub plate. I like the "captured" pin design too...

Vintage cars of the era used both styles...although 60's cars probably were closer to the rubber strap.

- Wil

Flying Toaster · Flying Toaster's Garage

I'm on the fence as well on this topic. My reasons are for aesthetics.
If anyone could post pics of both, that would be helpful. -john

CBRacerX · CBRacerX's Garage

I had the rubber Ts on my RS replica and liked them a lot. Plus they have the right vintage look.

Brant · 01-13-2006, 08:02 AM

I agree with Wil about the weight.
the pins are available in aluminum and can actually be lighter than rubber. We went with the pins for weight reasons.

(weight over aesthetics)

brant

Eric P · 01-13-2006, 08:25 AM

Here is a pic from '71 I think (so historically, it would be "right" to use pins for that era. Rubber too, either or.)

This is a kinda bad example because it looks like they changed the pin location and left the old holes....

http://www.virhistory.com/vir/72-apr/rg-7204/rg-7204-04.jpg

This one has pins too...

http://www.virhistory.com/vir/press/full02/full-35.JPG

Or I guess we could use this option:

http://www.virhistory.com/vir/press/full01/full-10.JPG

Eric P · 01-13-2006, 08:28 AM

I like the weight point, especially with alum. pins. BUT, how hard are they to mount. Also, the rubber ones seem to have a "self-adjusting" property, being rubber. A consideration?

pwd72s · 01-13-2006, 08:32 AM

A pic taken mid 70's..a '67 known locally here as "The silver Weenie"...it raced at Sebring, other places...

Eric P · 01-13-2006, 10:02 AM

Cool car...and obviously much different than what is known around my house as the "Pink Weenie"!

Chuck Moreland · 01-13-2006, 10:14 AM

Weight is negligible on both solutions. The pins are a bit cleaner aero wise, the aesthetics subjective. I like the rubber.

Jack Olsen · 01-13-2006, 10:21 AM

I've always thought the rubber ones must be terrible for aero.

Brant · 01-13-2006, 10:42 AM

Here is something we did on the back of our hood for both weight and aero...

aluminum and much lighter than a hinge. Rules required sticking with metal hood, but did not require hinges.

Zeke · 01-13-2006, 10:57 AM

There is a 3rd option. Leather straps as used on some (or all, I don't know) 911 R's. Asthetics are great. Strength should be good. Longevity might be less than rubber which is less than pins. AFA rules, YMMV

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

is it for "the look" or for weight savings? when i drive mine on the street i'd hate the fact that someone can get into my trunk

Eric P · 01-13-2006, 12:56 PM

...dedicated track car...street issues not an issue...yadda, yadda.
(good point though. Searching I did find a number of "street tuner" places that sell locking hood pins)

The leather straps are an interesting thought and one I hadn't thought of. I've seen vintage R pics with both leather and rubber Ts. My car is a '71 and it seems to be a little beyond the leather era (which to me is 50s, into the 60s...). My Healey has a leather strap all the way across the hood but again, it is a '56.

Now I'm thinking doing SMALL rubber Ts on the engine lid and pins on the hood. I guess I need to post a request for pictures of the pin mounts INside the trunk...

zotman72 · 01-13-2006, 01:09 PM

I have those dang aluminum pin/rings on my racecar and I seem to whack my fingers with circular ring every other time I use them. It hurts! I hate them. YMMV

Lukesportsman · 01-14-2006, 07:42 AM

I've used the locking ones before and they provide a clean secure installation. Obviously heavier than Al pins, and I wouldn't use them without a battery cutoff or in use on an engine lid....hard to access keys in a hurry.

I also like the self "captured" ones Wil mentioned and you don't loose/misplace the pins or snap your fingers like Bill mentioned which I also find annoying