'72 hood latches

[Jerome P.]

The left side of the hood does not shut down to a locked position completely when it is dropped from about 12 to 15 inches. A light push on the left corner of the hood completes the closing.

I am sure there is an adjustment, but I am not aware of how is it made?

Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.

[Ron G.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Jerome,

You can adjust it by turning the screw or it is probably called something else. If you compress the spring in the latch, that should bring it lower.

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Jerome,

You can adjust it by turning the screw or it is probably called something else. If you compress the spring in the latch, that should bring it lower.

Ron------


It's called a "lock bolt". As you probably know, it's a cone shaped head for L-69 to 76; "tulip" shaped head for 1968-L69.

[Michael B.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Jerry,

I had the same problem on my car; in fact, the hood would occasionally pop loose on a rough road. After several unsuccessful adjustments on the lock bolt I discovered the problem was with the female latch on the hood. The cable connecting the two female latches was too tight and not allowing the catch mechanism to fully engage under the lock bolt.

Mike

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Jeff Salz sells some very nice alignment tools that may help with the issue. It doesn't take much maladjustment to have a problem with them.

[Ron G.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Thanks Joe. That is the correct name. My advise to Jerome is, my suggestion is not to drop the hood from 10 to 15 inches from the cowl, but rather lay it down and just go push on each corner with the palm of your hand. I have actually seen minor stress cracks starting to develop after a long period of dropping the hood to get it to close. This is one way to alleviate the stress crack dilemma.

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 hood latches

... my suggestion is not to drop the hood from 10 to 15 inches from the cowl, but rather lay it down and just go push on each corner with the palm of your hand.... .

Ron------


This is the procedure that I've used on my 1969 for about 49 years.

[Jerome P.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Great advice. Thanks to everyone.

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Ron------


This is the procedure that I've used on my 1969 for about 49 years.

Until you have to do a PV, where you drop it and see if it latches.

[Jerome P.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Great point Pat. For me PV judging is not going to happen. The car was regionally flight judged several years ago.

Thanks again for your feedback.

[Joe L.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Until you have to do a PV, where you drop it and see if it latches.

Patrick-----


Does it have to not latch on both sides to be considered original? I'll bet 50%+ of the cars when new would not latch on both sides when the hood was dropped from 12-15".

[Patrick H.]

Re: '72 hood latches

Patrick-----


Does it have to not latch on both sides to be considered original? I'll bet 50%+ of the cars when new would not latch on both sides when the hood was dropped from 12-15".

It's judged to design intent, not production reality.

The last 2 months the MI Chapter had a former GM engineer give talks on Corvette assembly. The number of demerits (their word) on each car going out the door was significant. I'd suspect that none of the cars leaving the line would pass a PV.