The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop hood latch, '56

i am having trouble understanding the function of the mechanism on the hood latch.

hood latch

its clear that the upper hook grabs the opening in the hood designed to receive it. it is spring loaded and will move to the left as shown in the picture when the hood is let down over it - then snap over and latch the hood.

i am unclear about what the lower tab/lever does - shown to the left in the picture. it is fixed into position unless the latch release is pulled up, then it is free to move right and recess itself into the part that protrudes into the hood. it too is spring loaded with a coil spring not seen in the picture as it is behind the view shown.

it seems like the hood will want to sit on this piece and it doesn't slant enough to have the weight of the hood push it over out of the way.

does someone understand how this mechanism is supposed to work and can explain it to me?

thanks

the piece on the left prevents the latch hook from becoming unhooked until the lever is pulled - if you have a loose one in hand investigate the action .... funny, I was just goofing with mine today cuz when I opened the hood it wasn't acting right, I think one of the springs broke, need to take it out and see, fortunately I have a spare

Bill

thanks for the response, Bill. i am holding one of these latches in my hand (new, reproduction) to investigate the action as you say and i don't see what you describe. the main hook can move freely irrespective of the position of the release lever. the secondary piece/latch is locked into position unless the release handle is lifted. then it can move. perhaps my trouble is how the hood interacts with the latch - does the hood sit on the piece to the left, or pass over it when it is in a retracted position?

well, I may be off, but the 2 work together to keep the hood secure - note that the plate on the hood is 2 part, one above the other, the hook piece [right in your pic, and taller] on the latch catches on the higher part, the lower part presses against the 'secondary' piece [left on the pic, and lower down] .... try pushing down on that rather than pushing in

Bill

i think your thought of pushing down is the answer. i can't do that with finger strength against the wound spring, but the lower part is mounted to the main assembly via a slot that will permit vertical motion. i also did not realize that the hood plate consists of 2 parts that must work in conjunction with the two hooks/tabs on the latch. thanks!