‘65 Hood release handle came off

[Oliver S.]

Today the hood release handle came off. It is metal without a screw- so maybe a very old one. As far as I know there are actually two durable solution in conjunction with the old handle:

1. silver soldering, which requires removal of the cable.
2. Drill a hole and cut a thread into the handle … originality gone. Isn’t it better to buy a plastic repro one that has this screw already and put the handle aside?

Is there any other promising method with the cable in place and keep the handle original?

Regards
Oliver

[Gary C.]

Oliver,

Why couldn't you JB Weld or epoxy the handle to the shaft?

Gary
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[David H.]

Oliver

Before you repair... Why did handle fail?

i.e. worn/stiff mechanism or cable lubrication/fit/binding?

Handle repair won't last long if problem is elsewhere.

Handle is 2 points Originality and 2 points Condition to consider with repair vs new costs.

Gary's JB Weld approach seems most straight forward. A little "hook" on cable end for more surface area?

Dave

[Bruce G.]

My '63 handle came off.....................fixed with JB WELD! Quick fix that seems to be holding up well. Bruce

[Thomas N.]

Don't silver solder. The melting point of the silver solder is close to the melting point of the die cast handle. You'll have a puddle of goo.

[Oliver S.]

The handle release felt as ever. If you stick the handle onto the cable and tilt it a bit to the right when pulling it you can release the hood - so the mechanism seem to be not to sticky.
I have never used JB Weld and considered it as temporary fix. But as you told this fix can work for a very long time 😀.

Regards
Oliver

[Gary C.]

Oliver,

I have repaired small holes that were punched into bottom of Honda motorcycle engine case with JB Weld and it held for 8 years until my sons outgrew the bike. IMHO JB Weld is not a temporary fix.

Gary
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[Terry M.]

FWIW…I have used JB Weld many times for many fixes and find it to be more permanent than temporary. If I had your issue I would definitely give it a go. It’s not likely that you’ll need much for your fix but once it cures it will be locked in place by filling all the little voids in and around the cable and handle. I’d fill the hole with JB (use a small diameter wire to penetrate the material to release any air voids) and then insert handle over the cable. Wipe off excess and secure handle to cable by wrapping tape over handle and overlapping cable on each side, The tape on either side should stick to one another as well as to the cable. Make sure your handle is properly aligned on the cable first. Let the whole works sit for at least 24 hours…more might be even better. That’s what I would do.