worn hood latch? 1968

[wharriss]

Can anyone give an opinion from the attached photos whether or not this hood latch is worn beyond use? I have been having trouble getting my hood to stay closed while driving. I know there could be several other reasons for the problem, but I just want to rule out the wear issue.

The latch crescent as shown is in the fully closed position, max closed it will go before starting to open. I can't remember how the lock looked when new. At my age I can't remember a lot of things. Is there too much crescent in the latch from wear? How about the 45 degree angle on the top side? Is that the design or wear? Thanks for any help.
Rich Harriss

[Mo_Gearhead]

If the spring which pulls it over the pin is bad ( lost its tension) you may need to replace it ...or it may just need the release cable re-adjusted?

I can't imagine even a 40 year old car having the hood opened/closed enough to wear out that piece.

The bevel on top is a design feature.

Clean it well, lubricate it, adjust the cable. Should be good for another 40!

[Fritter]

Looks ok to me. Probably just need to adjust where the cable clamps on the latch mechanism so as to get proper travel on the spring loaded piece that catches the male piece.

[JerryL]

Has this just started, the poping open??
I fought that after a repaint of a new car (to me) drove me nuts such a simple thing.
You using the nail / pin to set cable is right, that is the extreme position on latching, that is where you want to adjust the cable snug (in doing by your self I hang a pair of vise grips on the loose cable end while tightning the clamp on the cable) that position of the latch is critical as in the Porsche engineering wisdom, the latch will free its self if the cable brakes.

The pin: alignment is critical, use a piece of tinfoil taped over the opening where the latch pin gos. This will allow you to see if you are hitting the latch centered.
Tape the foil over it, rub it down around the radius around the latch opening to see your target, then lightly start closing the hood you will hear it touch the foil, check for centered on the pocket if not adjust one or both latch parts top & bottom till it is very centered.

check when rotating the latch pin, does it stay on center or swing thru a arc as adjusting it (read bent rod or top mounting plate)

The mounting plate on my 71 was bent at the threaded area causing my problem straightened and fine.

After you have had all apart as it looks you have start with the pin extended out of the top mounting plate (looking at the back side that gos to the hood) about 1/8 - 1/4" thread out, get it to latch good and strong, then adjust a bit at a time(1/2 turn) to take the play out when closed.

Should work, good luck!!

Regards


EDIT: Hey we are almost neighbors!!