1968 vs early 1969 vs late 1969/70 hood

[Mark #28455]

Semersheim's lists a 1968 BB hood vs. 1969-71.

There was a change in the hood latches in mid to late 1969 with a change in the pass side latch and the cable that connects them.

I have a 1969 with the early style latch and a 1970 with the other style latch. I can't find the supposed difference in the screw holes that attach the latches to the hood, so although my 1969 has the earlier style latches, it appears to attach the same as the 1970 (later 1969) latches.

Can anybody please explain what differences exist between the 1968 and 1969 hoods as described by Semersheims? (measurements would be a GREAT help please). I know what you're thinking - just call Semersheims and ask them! I tried that and all they said was the hoods are different in the latch area but wouldn't give any details and told me to go to the NCRS web site and ask the experts. (you think if they were reproducing the hoods, they would be the experts in what they're selling? Go figure!

Thanks in advance for your help!

Mark

[Thomas C.]

Re: 1968 vs early 1969 vs late 1969/70 hood

Mark, The main difference (BB hood) is in the way that the hood release cable attaches to the hood. 68-E69 uses two bolts to hold the cable. L69-72 uses one bolt. Also the latches that attach to the hood have a different configuration relating to the cable attachment. Although the latch bolt pattern is very close, It is not the same. If you put a 68-E69 latch on a L69-72 BB hood you will see the one of the bolt holes does not line up on the passenger side latch.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 vs early 1969 vs late 1969/70 hood

Mark-----

The early 1968 upper lock plates were GM #3922201, left side, and GM #3922202, right side. The later 1968 through ABOUT October, 1969 were GM #3948141, left side, and GM #3948142, right side. The later 1969 through 1976 plates were GM #3966627, left side, and GM #3966628, right side.

I don't know what the differences were between the 3922201-2 and the 3948141-2. However, I do know that the latter replaced the former for all 1968 SERVICE. So, whatever the differences are, we know that the later part will work in place of the earlier part (rearward compatibility). What we don't know is whether, or not, the earlier parts will work for the late 1968-late 1969 application (forward compatibility). I strongly suspect that they will, however. In any event, the fact that the latter parts replaced the earlier parts STRONGLY implies that there is no mounting difference between the 2 sets of plates.

Also, the late 69 through 1976 LEFT SIDE plate, GM #3966627, replaced the 3948141 for SERVICE of 68-69. There is no difference in the mounting of the 3948141 and 3966627. I know that, for sure. However, if the 3966627 is used in place of the 3948141, then the GM #3966625 lock bolt must also be used (GM doesn't tell you that, but that's how it is).

The RIGHT SIDE GM #3966628 does NOT replace the GM #3948142. The GM #3948142 was discontinued without supercession in August, 1983. The reason that the 3966628 did not replace the GM #3948142 is that the mounting patterns of the 3948142 and 3966628 ARE DIFFERENT.

Somehow, I think that this difference in 1968 to October, 1969 right side plates compared to October, 1969 to 1976 right side plates has often gotten confused with the difference between early 1968 plates compared to later 1968 to October, 1969 plates. The fact is that there were THREE sets of plates, NOT TWO. I believe that the first 2 sets are interchangeable with each other. For the third set, only the left side is interchangeable with the earlier.