C3 68 BB hood latches, hinges, supports

[Terry S.]

Hi, I have a 68 BB, what is the correct finish for:

Male hood latches, springs, etc.
Female hood latches
Hood hinges
Hood support

I found one post in the archives that stated the female hood latches were black phosphate and one that stated the hood support was a clear zinc(?) but couldn't find any of the other parts.

Thanks

[Chuck S.]

Re: C3 68 BB hood latches, hinges, supports

Good show for trying the archives...but don't forget to try the TIM&JG; the manuals have a lot of this information, and info from the TIM&JG is more likely to gain judging approval.

When the hood was assembled to the body in the body shop, the hinges were silver cad or clear zinc plated. However, you won't be able to tell that from looking at a finished car.

The body was painted with the hood on the body. Primer, sealer and color were applied with no masking, so the hinges will be covered by overspray from the various painting steps. The finsl step is blacking out the underside of the hood...at that time, the hood edge and hinges was masked with a shield of some type during blackout. The hinges end up primarily black from the black out, but you may see body color remaining on the outside bottom portion of the hinge near the fender.

IIRC, I believe the hood male probe is sliver cad or clear zinc plated, but this info should be in the 68-69 TIM&JG. The hood support is as you said. We often call the hood latches black phosphate...that's true, but the color is more of a dark charcoal or dark gray than black. I always believed the springs were a black oxide or low gloss black painted finish...others may disagree.

[Mark D.]

Re: C3 68 BB hood latches, hinges, supports

Terry,

It is my opinion this PIC shows the correct original finishes for the items shown.

Regards,

Mark

[Mark D.]

Re: C3 68 BB hood latches, hinges, supports

One more...

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 68 BB hood latches, hinges, supports

Terry-----

The brackets/plates, both upper and lower, were "black" phosphate as Chuck described.

The hinges were as Chuck described.

The springs on the lower brackets were "black" phosphate. The lock bolts ("tulip-shaped" upper ends for 68-late 1969) were black phosphate. However, the upper portion of the bolt gets quickly worn to "shiny steel". The seats (at top of the springs) were zinc or cadmium plated.

All bolts and nuts attaching the brackets/plates were "black" phosphate.

[Joe L.]

1968-L69 Hood Latch Lock Bolt

Here is a photo of the configuration of the head of the 1968-L69 hood latch lock bolt known as GM #3915814. The bolts you show installed on your lower brackets are the L1969-76 bolts known as GM #3966625.

[Mark D.]

Re: 1968-L69 Hood Latch Lock Bolt

Joe,

I thought it would go without saying that mine is a 69 setup. I read the question as a finish issue, not a configuration issue.

Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968-L69 Hood Latch Lock Bolt

Mark-----

Actually, the SET of latches (upper, lower, and attached parts) is not correct for any 1969. It would be correct if the following changes were made:

To change to:

1969 until about October, 1969 build----change lock bolts to GM #3915814. By the way, the hood used for this set-up uses TWO clips for the cross cable and the cross cable has a WHITE sheath;

About October, 1969 until end-of-production, 1969----change bother UPPER lock plates to GM #3966627, left side, and GM #3966628, right side. Leave lower brackets as-is. The hood used for this set-up uses ONE cross cable clip and has a BLACK sheath.

[Chuck S.]

Re: C3 68 BB hood latches, hinges, supports

Joe,

That's what I get for going from memory. I rechecked my database and I do show the finish of my 70 probes as medium gray phosphate. After I posted, I wondered if I should have said natural steel...zinc just didn't feel right.

Springs: I was thinking of the latch return springs; didn't think of the probe springs. I presume ALL springs should be black phosphate?

[Joe L.]

Re: C3 68 BB hood latches, hinges, supports

Chuck-----

I'm not sure about the spring finish, including all of the involved springs. I think they were either "black" phosphate or painted black. There might have been optional finishes specified for the parts vendor. All of the 68-69 springs I've seen have been "black" phosphate. However, I sure haven't seen every 68-69 spring used on these latches. And, later, I really have made no study, at all, of.

All of the latch bolts were "black" phosphate, both the 1968-L69 and the L69-76 style bolts. However, as I mentioned, the finish is rather quickly lost due to contact with the latch plates. So, they end up looking mostly "shiny" on the head portion of the bolt. The shank portion remains phosphate-finished. Of course, it's very difficult to see the shank portion of the bolts. But, whatever is on the shank portion is what was originally on the head.

[Mike G.]

Re: 1968-L69 Hood Latch Lock Bolt

how close is this to a 70 setup and colors?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968-L69 Hood Latch Lock Bolt

m------

1970 LOWER brackets with attached parts is the same as those pictured.

1970 UPPER lock plates are different than those pictured.