hood latches on 1958 corvette

[Richard K.]

Could anyone tell me how I can adjust the hood latches on my 57' corvette so the hood would not pop up.

I have tried the latches on the vehicle as well as the latches on the hood and can't seem to get the hood to stay down; pops back up when driving vehicle.

Thanks alot.

Rich #20023 or Sharonkintz@aol.com

[David B.]

Re: hood latches on 1958 corvette

Rich,

I had the same problem, but it is cured now. See the thread below. I followed John and Rob's advice, sort of, by cutting very light grooves in my pins with a lathe - hood stays put now and the grooves cannot be seen. Or, get the later model pins with grooves. By the way, that steel is HARD. I can cut high strength bolts easier on my lathe than those pins were. They are built to last.

Dave Banwarth
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Roy, Mike M, other C-1 Gurus?

When driving the car, the hood latches sometimes allow the hood pins to slide up and the hood raises up some in the back. I have cleaned the latch receivers and the hood pins . The design seems to be a smooth pin that is retained by a sharp angled, spring loaded, receiver plate. I think I read something on this board previously about serrated pins on some years - not sure? Is there a solution to this problem? Stronger springs? Sharpening the latch edge? Others must have faced this problem before.

Thanks in advance.

Dave

Re: I'm no C-1 expert but
Chuck Rice -- Friday, 23 March 2007, at 1:43 p.m.

If it's anything like my 68, you should be able to adjust the hood pin so that when it latches, it sucks the hood down in place where the latches can't let it float up.

Chuck

If the hole
Dave Suesz -- Friday, 23 March 2007, at 2:38 p.m.

in the plate in the latch, where the hood pin enters is worn, it's done. My RH latch was worn out in this way by about 1965, prompting my Dad to remove the spring just to keep it down. I solved the problem a couple years ago by buying a new latch from MaryJo a couple years ago, and the problem went away..

Re: I'm no C-1 expert but
Roy Braatz 182 -- Friday, 23 March 2007, at 3:39 p.m.

Well first if your using repro's that's you first problem (the spring is to thick and strong ) second make sure the male unit stop is adjusted correct , last if all is original add shims to the top two female bolts behind the unit and fire wall . Let use know!

Re: If the hole
John Hinckley -- Friday, 23 March 2007, at 4:15 p.m.

I had this same issue ten years ago on my '57, and replaced the pins with the later ones with annular grooves - problem solved. The cup on the pin hides the grooves with the hood open, so the grooves can't be seen anyway.

Re: If the hole
David #42369 -- Friday, 23 March 2007, at 5:25 p.m.

Thank you everyone for the good suggestions. I appreciate the input.

John, do you know what year(s) would I look for that would have the grooved pins? Would I just replace the pins, or have to replace the whole male latch? Alternatively, I am wondering if I could just put the pins in my lathe and cut some tiny grooves, since they would be hidden as you said?

Thanks,

Dave

Re: If the hole
Rob Musquetier -- Saturday, 24 March 2007, at 5:13 a.m.

I know my 59 has the grooved pins... You need the 59E version.

greetings,

Rob.

Re: If the hole
David #42369 -- Saturday, 24 March 2007, at 7:15 p.m.

Thanks Rob

[Gene B.]

Re: hood latches on 1958 corvette

I had the same problem with my 58 latches. I tried to rotate the pins, so the cerrated edges were fresh, but that did not work either. I finally took two flat washers and placed them under the rear side of the female latch and then bolted it back into position. This changed the angle and now the hood stay downs. The washers cannot be seen and it works great. Hope this helps.

Gene