1961 Hood Latch Adjustment
Is there a depth adjustment for the hood "plugs" that fit into the hood latches? Front/Rear and Left/Right adjustment looks ok but one plug seems to fit too far into the latch requiring extra force on the hood release cable. Have broken 2 hood release handles off of the cable. Can I decrease the plug depth and can this adjustment be done on the car? Any ideas on how to gage or measure depth of plug penetration into the latches?
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Re: 1961 Hood Latch Adjustment
The male pins can be adjusted by loosening the retainer plate that's at the bottom (against the large plate that has the three bolts holding it to the hood. Then put a large screwdriver in the end of the pin and adjust longer/shorter, and once you are satisfied, tighten the retainer. Another element of adjustment is the circular rubber bumper on the screw attached to the female latch. That primarily is to make sure your hood sits up high enough to be even with the surround. If it's adjusted too high, it puts undue pressure on the male pin releasing from the female. Both are trial and error figment. Have fun! You've been around NCRS for a while too, haven't you? -
Re: 1961 Hood Latch Adjustment
Here are a few photos to go along with Mike's adjustment info. These are from a '61 waiting for installation after I had them dichromate plated. I have to check the JG and my records as I think I need to paint the male latch pin springs semi-gloss black and the whole male plate assembly gets mostly blacked out.
IIRC, the threaded ends of the large latch pins were peened with a chisel weren't they? I have to dig them out of the box to check. Or maybe I'm thinking of prior years or maybe midyears?
RichComment
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Re: 1961 Hood Latch Adjustment
Mike, Rich,
Thanks for your replies. Did some measuring and I believe that I have too much spring pressure on the female latches causing a very hard pull on the cable release. I would like to shorten the male pin length but have found out that they are as short as possible (sleeve on the bolt is just about contacting the retainer plate) Even if I could shorten further, the bolt has only about 1/16" to go before bottoming in the hood. May need more adjustment than that. Is there any other adjustment possible? Would changing the height of the hood hinges at the front help? (Hood at front is level with the body). Only thing I can think of is to shim the female latches and enlarge the bolt holes in the front of the latches to allow a greater height. Don't think rubber bumper height is the issue. I removed the bumpers to try to get a feel for pin spring pressure.
True, I have been around for a while but not as long as number 211!Comment
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Re: 1961 Hood Latch Adjustment
Joseph, Something is awry. Can you post some photos of your installation of both complete male and female latches.
Rich
edit.....See below download for pictures and more info that Dave Zuberer compiled.Last edited by Richard M.; February 3, 2017, 04:04 PM.Comment
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Re: 1961 Hood Latch Adjustment
Rich - Attached are photos. The parts are all original. Don't think there is a problem with them. I think I have a hood alignment problem which has caused the awryness. Close inspection shows that the left front corner of the hood is about 1/16" high while rt. front is about the same low. Gaps around the hood are equal. Think this is causing the hood to "bow" when closed. Left front latch requires much more force to unlatch than right. Some background - I have actually done 2 restorations on the vehicle. Most of the engine and chassis work I did myself but don't know anything about body adjustments. Fortunately, the car is good and straight, door gaps, etc. have never been a problem. But during the restorations, the hood has come off a couple of times. Looks like I did not get it back on exactly right. I plan to level the front and possibly raise the front, equally on both sides, by about 1/16" to lessen the spring pressure on the latches. Any hints on hood adjustment would be appreciated. Any other hints or comments welcome. (Not sure if photos got attached)Comment
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Re: 1961 Hood Latch Adjustment
Joseph, The photos aren't there. If you're having trouble posting here, send them to me in a email via the Private Message system and I can post them up for you. Never mind via message system here, you cannot email photos. I just sent you a PM with my email address......
The entire nose, radiator support, radiator support side extensions, and inner skirts are a integral assembly. Moving the nose up by adding more shims under the radiator support would change the horizontal plane of the hood somewhat, but I'm not sure if that would solve your initial issue. A telltale of a "low" nose is a bulged effect of the front fender wheel well lips on both sides. From the front, look along the side of the car. If it's straight, the nose is at the proper level.
You can raise the right front of the hood by adjusting the hinge upward at the radiator support, but if your hood hinge on the left is at it's lowest installed position, you cannot lower it without modifying the radiator support mount side of the hinges by grinding the holes to lower the hinge.
A high hood cannot be lowered easily, however a hood that is low is the best scenario with the 1958-1962 C1's as it can be raised via the hinge support side mount bolts.
Was there any major body work done to the front end/top surround on this car?
RichComment
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Re: 1961 Hood Latch Adjustment
Thanks to Rich and Mike. Will be putting their advice to work when the weather makes it a little more easy to work in the garage.Comment
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