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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,156 Posts1,057,021 Members48,460 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23 | Is there a difference between the hood latch/radiator fill panel from 47-53 and 54-55.1? I have a 51 Chevy, and have come across a latch advertised as being from a 54. Can anyone confirm if this will or will not work? I'm not concerned about "being correct," just functionality. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 176 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 176 | Hi Bret,
Yes, the radiator upper baffle is slightly different from 47-53 and 54-55.1. I have the earlier baffle (by mistake) in my 55 first and it is an O.K. fit but only O.K. If you go to my photos you can see the difference. They are in an album marked 54 grill. Notice the right rear bolt hole where the grill attaches on the 54 is recessed slightly. This might be a problem for the earlier grill. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Peter,
Is the hood latch plate/mechanism different? I might have the wrong part name but it looks like it might be the same hood latch plate/mechanism from 47-55?
Tim
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 176 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 176 | Hi Tim,
In the 54 truck shop manual page 11-3 is an illustration of the "hood lock plate" from what I believe is a 47-53 truck. The characteristic 4 holes for attaching the 54 center grill nose are missing.
And even though the parts numbers are different for the hood lock plate from 47-53 (part #3682709) and 54-55 first (part #3701424), I certainly cannot tell a difference. Sorry not much help here. By the way, my thanks to you, Keith and other bolters for teaching me about the master parts catalog. It is a very powerful tool. | | | | | Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Nov 2005 Posts: 23 | Peter & Tim,
Thanks for the help. I have found another lead.
Last edited by cletis; 05/12/2009 5:24 PM. Reason: deleted ebay link
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | Peter, I have seen the Shop manual photos and have the same quandary that you do - the 48-51 photo and the 54 photo seem to be the same. Nonetheless, the part numbers that you show for hood lower latch (8.080 PLATE ASSEMBLY) are indeed different. So, you are correct to say that both the radiator upper baffles (grill covers) are different, as are the hood latch mechanisms/plates. Tim | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,270 | bretcopsy,
That "1954 CHEVY TRUCK HOOD LATCH FAN COVER O43" listed on eBay does not look like it is for a 1954 truck.
1. It does not have the clips/holes/rivets that hold wiring clips on the underside of the cover (as are found on 54/55 covers).
2. It does not have all four holes at the front center - for the four bolts that attach the cover to the 54/55 center post.
Tim
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 176 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jan 2008 Posts: 176 | Jim Carter has some pretty interesting information in his technical article section. Here is some information about the 54 hood release plate that was discussed a while back. http://www.oldchevytrucks.com/cgi/htmlos.exe/003460.4.3198785973600032331My truck has the wrong one so I have a mission for my next swap meet. | | |
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