I have a 55 Chevy truck that was missing the inner hood X Brace and upper latch (connected to the hood). I purchased these parts but dont know what size bolts held them on. Does someone know what size bolts were used. I’m doing a restoration and want to be as close to size/dimensions as possible.
The Latch Brace is riveted to the hood at the front with special large round flat headed rivets and it has 5/16 Flange Bolts at the back. You should have captured/welded in nuts at all of the bolt locations.
The X brace uses the same bolts as the latch brace.
IM missing the rivets for the latch brace where it attaches to the hood. Do they make replacements? How long should the other bolts be, looks like short ones?
The 4 rivets holding the striker plate will be easy as bolt heads won't interfere with anything.
The two attaching the brace to the hood will need to little thought...maybe grind a carriage bolt head flat, file the hole square and install a nut on the back side (I don't know if you have room for this...never done it) or install a Riv-nut in the hood and grind a round head slotted screw down after it's installed to look like a factory rivet...
I think the bolts are 5/8" long but 3/4" may work, just check the depth before installing to be sure you don't touch the top of the hood when tightening them up.
Mike B
Mike Boteler
1956 Chevy 3100 Resto Rod 1952 Willys M38 Army Jeep 1983 Jeep CJ7 Laredo 1984 Jeep CJ7 +++++ Silver Spring, MD