69 Hood latches

[John A.]

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Hood latches

John------

Yes, there is a difference. 1968 Corvettes used upper hood latches GM #3922201, lh, and GM #3922202, rh. Late 1968 and "early" 1969 Corvettes used upper latches GM #3948141, lh, and GM #3948142, rh. The latter sent of latches are completely compatible and interchangeable with the earlier and replaced the earlier for 1968 SERVICE in about mid-1969. These latches require the "tulip" shaped lock bolt head on the bottom latches.

VERY late 1969 may have used latches GM #3966627, lh, and GM #3966628, rh. My September, 1969-built, original owner convertible used the 3948141 and 3948142 latches, so the 3966627 and 3966628 would have had to have come into use after that time. The 3966627 and 3966628 were then used through 1976. These latches require the "cone" shaped lock bolt head on the lower latches.

Now things get even trickier. The "late" 69 to 76 LH latch, GM #3966627, should be usable on all 68- "early" 1969 models as long as the lock bolt is changed to the "cone" shaped head bolt. The RH latch, GM #3966628, may not fit properly on 1968-"early" 1969 hoods.

[John A.]

Re: 69 Hood latches

Joe,

Thanks for the info. Unfortunatly, there are no part numbers stamped into the latches to confirm your numbers acountability... Just a funny WA symbol! The lower latch is definitly the early tulip design... (the origional "white" pull cable between the two upper recently failed). But, the hood only has a single cable support fastener.... which I believe wasn't used until later in 69... It looks like the bolt patten and rivit clearence requirements for the latter hoods changed slightly. Any info on this design change?

Thanks Again!