'54 Hood Latches

[Jim L.]

Hi All, Happy Memorial Day,

I need to know how the hood latches on a '54 are secured.

Now before you think "that's a dumb question" let me explain. I want to remove the firewall-mounted latches from my '54 and I can clearly see the bolt heads on the engine side of the firewall. What I need to know is what's on the passenger compartment side of the firewall. Are there nuts and washers? Is there one large nut plate?

Reason I ask.... The firewall insulation blocks my view and prevents convenient access, as does the heater. I have arthritis in my hands and I don't want to make this a larger project than absolutely necessary.

If there is a captive nut plate, then I can easily remove the latches. But if there are individual nuts and washers, I'm not so sure I'm motivated to also pull the heater and firewall mat.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

[Roy B.]

Re: '54 Hood Latches

Hi All, Happy Memorial Day,

I need to know how the hood latches on a '54 are secured.

Now before you think "that's a dumb question" let me explain. I want to remove the firewall-mounted latches from my '54 and I can clearly see the bolt heads on the engine side of the firewall. What I need to know is what's on the passenger compartment side of the firewall. Are there nuts and washers? Is there one large nut plate?

Reason I ask.... The firewall insulation blocks my view and prevents convenient access, as does the heater. I have arthritis in my hands and I don't want to make this a larger project than absolutely necessary.

If there is a captive nut plate, then I can easily remove the latches. But if there are individual nuts and washers, I'm not so sure I'm motivated to also pull the heater and firewall mat.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

Your OK it's a riveted plate to the body

[Jim L.]

Re: '54 Hood Latches

Roy, thanks a bunch! That's what I needed to know.

Jim

[Cathy S.]

Re: '54 Hood Latches

Someone must have removed my nut plates. I have individual nuts and washers

[Jim L.]

Re: '54 Hood Latches

Hmmmm..... so the answer to the burning question of whether the hood latches are retained by nuts/washers or captive nutplates appears to be "Yes".



Jim

[Roy B.]

Re: '54 Hood Latches

On the body there is a plate riveted to it that acts as the nuts for the female latches same as the hood male latches use no nuts and has a plate riveted in it .