Hood Safety Latch

[RR Fan Dan]

Does anybody make a billet hood safety latch? Getting tired of touching mine up when it gets scraped up.

 

[493 Mike]

Does anybody make a billet hood safety latch? Getting tired of touching mine up when it gets scraped up.

Which part is at issue? Pictures help.
Mike

 

[pnora]

Does anybody make a billet hood safety latch? Getting tired of touching mine up when it gets scraped up.

Why is it painted?

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Why is it painted

Because the previous owner painted it with the restoration. Would a stock latch not scrape up? I have been looking at this one.

Mopar B Body Plymouth Safety Hood Latch Release Lever 1971 - 1974 Satellite GTX | eBay

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Which part is at issue

The hood safety latch.

Mopar B Body Plymouth Safety Hood Latch Release Lever 1971 - 1974 Satellite GTX | eBay

 

[493 Mike]

Does anybody make a billet hood safety latch? Getting tired of touching mine up when it gets scraped up.

You could just hold it open when closing the hood.
Mike

 

[RR Fan Dan]

You could just hold it open when closing the hood

Not sure how that would work. gotta drop it so as not to push on hood and opening would still scrape.

 

[dadsbee]

Contact cement a piece of edging rubber on the rear edge of the latch tray hole.

 

[gkent]

Is this a half-million dollar, numbers matching, one-of-few, concours restoration, trailer queen? If not, stop worrying about it. If someone ever says "that's beautiful but you have a paint chip there", hoof 'em in the nuts !!!

 

[Rishi]

I believe the release lever was originally in black phosphate, but I recall seeing originals that look zinc galvanized, too. Not sure if that was B or E body, though. Even so, I learned many years ago detailing B & E bodies for shows, to hold the safety catch partially open when closing the hood, to ease the hook past the hole in the latch plate, lest it scratch the paint on the lip of the latch plate hole.

Contact cement a piece of edging rubber on the rear edge of the latch tray hole.

I like this idea, but it's not for everyone, as the black rubber piece may be just as unsightly (to some) as scratches on the plate.

 

[pnora]

The hood safety latch.

Mopar B Body Plymouth Safety Hood Latch Release Lever 1971 - 1974 Satellite GTX | eBay

If you read the ad its also painted.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Contact cement a piece of edging rubber on the rear edge of the latch tray hole.

I like this idea, but it's not for everyone, as the black rubber piece may be just as unsightly (to some) as scratches on the plate.

Thats a good idea, but Rish may be right about it showing. I will have to check it out and see if there’s a way to do this.

Is this a half-million dollar, numbers matching, one-of-few, concours restoration, trailer queen? If not, stop worrying about it

No, but it’s very nice. Obviously you don’t have OCD like me. I definitely agree with kicking em in the nuts but if there is a solution i obviously want to hear about it. i know I’m not the only one with this problem that’s been bugging me.

 

[dadsbee]

Thats a good idea, but Rish may be right about it showing. I will have to check it out and see if there’s a way to do this.

Well a 2" black piece of rubber on a Dark Green car, or chips... take your pick.

I have a strip on the Bee and the Wife's '67 Formula S as they both require the "Jay Leno" hood drop to close the hood. Doing otherwise you'd be denting the hood trying to close them.

 

[493 Mike]

Have you considered a plastic block inside the 2 hooks that protrudes enough to eliminate the metal to metal contact? Say I think I will do that on mine!
Mike

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I have a strip on the Bee and the Wife's '67 Formula S as they both require the "Jay Leno" hood drop

Do you have a picture of how you did this.

Have you considered a plastic block inside the 2 hooks that protrudes enough to eliminate the metal to metal contact?

Now thats a thought, but it would show more than the rubber suggestion.

 

[493 Mike]

Do you have a picture of how you did this.

Now thats a thought, but it would show more than the rubber suggestion.

I'll make one tomorrow and post it.
Mike

 

[RR Fan Dan]

I'll make one tomorrow and post it.

Thanks

 

[493 Mike]

OK. I made a UHMW filler piece to fit inside the hooks. It stands proud of the steel so only UHMW touches the top grill header. It feels smoother and is quieter to boot.
Mike

 

[RR Fan Dan]

OK. I made a UHMW filler piece to fit inside the hooks

That is pretty ingenious. What is UHMW? Did you drill holes and screw it in? I was thinking epoxy would work to fasten it too.

Calling @dadsbee do you have pictures of what you did?

 

[493 Mike]

That is pretty ingenious. What is UHMW? Did you drill holes and screw it in? I was thinking epoxy would work to fasten it too.

Calling @dadsbee do you have pictures of what you did?

Ultra High Molecular Weight Polypropylene plastic. It is common in many products. I used some leftover snowmobile slides (dealers seem to only stock slides for long track sleds and I used waste). It is available from Mcmaster Carr.
The last photo shows the screw heads.
Mike