59 Hood release problem

[Bob S.]

I am just finishing up a frame off restoration (3 years for me and 20 for the prvious owner) and I can't get the passenger side hood latch to release. I don't have the splash pans on the car yet so I have tied on a small line under the car for my emergency release.
With the hood open, when I pull the release cable both female latch levers have the same amount of travel. The cable is firmly in the bracket under the latch and the brass barrel is not loose. When I take the male latch off the hood and manually insert it and have someone bull the cable it releases fine. But when I put it back on the hood it won't release. I have tried moving the male latch around to various positions that still line up but this doesn't seem to make a difference.
What am I missing here? - Sully

[John H.]

Re: 59 Hood release problem

I have tried moving the male latch around to various positions that still line up but this doesn't seem to make a difference.
What am I missing here? - Sully

Sully -

Wrap a piece of aluminum foil over the female latch assembly, lower the hood gently to contact, see where the point on the male pin touches the foil, and adjust as necessary.

Also, if the male pin is adjusted a little too deeply into the base, it can bind up against the bottom side of the moving latch piece in the female latch and keep it from moving; lengthen the pin a tad and see if that helps.

[Bob S.]

Re: 59 Hood release problem

Thanks John. I'll give the foil a try and compare it to the other side for position. As for the male pin, mine is the straight style with the serrated edges. - Sully

[Richard M.]

Re: 59 Hood release problem

Sully -

Wrap a piece of aluminum foil over the female latch assembly, lower the hood gently to contact, see where the point on the male pin touches the foil, and adjust as necessary.

Also, if the male pin is adjusted a little too deeply into the base, it can bind up against the bottom side of the moving latch piece in the female latch and keep it from moving; lengthen the pin a tad and see if that helps.

John, Great idea about the foil.

I think you're thinking of C2 male pins being adjustable. The C1 male pin threads into a captive nut in the plate, then they were "X" peaned on the threaded end with a chisel so they didn't turn. There is no locknut on the C1 pin, only the C2 pin, right?

Rich

[John H.]

Re: 59 Hood release problem

John, Great idea about the foil.

I think you're thinking of C2 male pins being adjustable. The C1 male pin threads into a captive nut in the plate, then they were "X" peaned on the threaded end with a chisel so they didn't turn. There is no locknut on the C1 pin, only the C2 pin, right?

Rich

Rich -

You're probably right - I did my last '57 many years ago, and used the later serrated pins on it; midyears since then.