1968 firewall Hood Latch

[Jeff P.]

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 firewall Hood Latch

I’m ready to send the latches to the plater. One question I have is in regards to the silver cad cups that contains the spring. The bottom is welded to the base plate. Do you remove it plate it and weld it back ? The plater told me that it would ruin the grey phosphate when welding back. Any advise is much appreciated. Jeff.

Jeff-----

Well, GM originally welded the seat to the bracket without affecting the finish of the bracket. So, if it could be done then I don't see why it could not be done now.

However, I don't see why you'd be sending this bracket out, at all, for re-finishing. It looks fine to me the way it is.

One note, though: the lock bolt is not correct for a 1968. This is a very late 1969-76 bolt. It will not work correctly with your upper (hood-mounted) latch plate if it's an original 1968 plate. In fact, if the upper is an original 1968 and is used with this lock bolt, it will likely not release.

[Jeff P.]

[Jeff P.]

[Jeff P.]

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 firewall Hood Latch

Thanks for getting back joe. This is a picture I found searching for answers. It looked well restored so I thought I would show it. Could you please explain more on the difference between the “lock bolt”.

Jeff------

The 1968 thru most of 1969 used the "tulip"-shaped lock bolt as seen in your 1968 survivor photo. Very late 1969 thru 1976 used the cone shaped lock bolt. The upper hood latch plates are specific for each type of bolt.

[Sal C.]

Re: 1968 firewall Hood Latch

The bottom cup is not welded to the bracket. That is how the hood closed height is adjusted. Tap one of the tangs counter clockwise and it will unscrew as an assembly.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 firewall Hood Latch

Thanks again for the help Joe and Sal.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1968 firewall Hood Latch

The bottom cup is not welded to the bracket. That is how the hood closed height is adjusted. Tap one of the tangs counter clockwise and it will unscrew as an assembly.

Sal------


You're absolutely correct. When I responded to this question earlier I did not recall these seats being welded to the bracket. Then, I figured maybe they were for 1968, the year in question. I was too lazy to go out and dig one out of the collection. Well, just now I did dig one out. An NOS example of the left side bracket, GM #3930181 is pictured below. As can be clearly seen, the TAPPING PLATE is spot-welded to the bracket, not the seat.

[Jeff P.]

Re: 1968 firewall Hood Latch

Thank you both again for your time. Jeff