Unlatching Hood!

[Red76Vette]

Dose any one else have problems with the hood unlatching my 76 unlatches all the time. Any adjustments I could make.

Thanks,
Chuck

 

[69MyWay]

They are easy to adjust. The problem is, if you adjust them to latch very snug, you run the risk of it getting stuck latched!

I had that happen on my 74, and we ended up having to cut an access hole in the inner fender, etc. and it was not pretty. I was also 16 years old at the time, and this hampered my cruising activity with the car for the weekend. So, I said, nuts to that on my 69 and went with an adjustment on the light side. Since verts flex much more than t-tops, when I hit jus the right kind of angle, my frame will twist a tad and release the right side.

So, I just leave it down, but not latched anyway (note, I have the short hood). That way (especially durning my new engine/car etc. break in phase), I have quick access to the motor and don't have to worry about anything going crazy with the latch and sticking closed.

 

[smurfvet]

My hood pops up at times- I found that adjusting the two large "pins" on the body allows the hood locks to grab the pins a little better. The pins turn up and down with a screwdriver slot in the center of the pin. All I can say is trial and error.

I also put a light coating of Lubriplate white grease on the pins. It doesn't look neat and tidy, but it works.

 

[Lucy64]

I have a 67 BigBlock hood on my 64 that does pop up from time to time. After I drop the hood I have to be sure to push down on the drivers side latch to be sure it does latch. I have adjusted it a few times and now it does stay latched most of the time.

 

[Eric]

Four thousand miles and I've never had mine unlatch on me and it's adjusted pretty middle of the road. BTW, I never drop mine; I close it then press down firmly in the center to latch it. Shark hoods are notorious for developing cracks in the underside fiberglass around the passenger side hinge caused by the upward force at the front when the hood is dropped. Close it gently and your Shark will love you as much as you love it.

 

[Nut]

91,000+ miles and she's never unlatched while driving. well over 100K miles on the old '72 and never an unlatch.

........... Nut

 

[69MyWay]

91,000+ miles and she's never unlatched while driving. well over 100K miles on the old '72 and never an unlatch.

........... Nut

Clearly this is a function of horsepower vs. tensil strength of the car! So, I don't want to point out what that means to you Nut!!!!!!!! :L :L :L

 

[fc3]

Clearly this is a function of horsepower vs. tensil strength of the car! So, I don't want to point out what that means to you Nut!!!!!!!! :L :L :L

OUCH!!! :L :L :L

 

[Nut]

Oh.... I see. My whimpy little (modified to) 239 hp shark couldn't shake the hood loose let alone much else huh? A little upiddy down there in Orange Park this week? I guess I'll have to start working the hood loose so I can join the club.

................ Nut

 

[69MyWay]

Oh.... I see. My whimpy little (modified to) 239 hp shark couldn't shake the hood loose let alone much else huh? A little upiddy down there in Orange Park this week? I guess I'll have to start working the hood loose so I can join the club.

................ Nut

Sorry, I just had to, you were wide open for that.

Oh, and yes, I happen to have the flu at the moment, so I imagine I am a little upiddy (more like downiddy). If I could just get stuff I eat to stay inside at either end, I think I would be okay!

 

[Nut]

Flu...... keep it south of the border. I'm going in for a hernia operation on the 13th and be out for 2-3 weeks. Looks like Ken will have someone to keep him company on line all day. Ooow.... on line all day. Good idea. Tie up the phone line so nobody will bother me at home. Maybe I can get Doc Holiday to snap a couple pictures so I can post them like you did and join that club too. Remember?

Hope you are feeling better soon........... Bob

 

[Red76Vette]

They are easy to adjust. The problem is, if you adjust them to latch very snug, you run the risk of it getting stuck latched!

I had that happen on my 74, and we ended up having to cut an access hole in the inner fender, etc. and it was not pretty. I was also 16 years old at the time, and this hampered my cruising activity with the car for the weekend. So, I said, nuts to that on my 69 and went with an adjustment on the light side. Since verts flex much more than t-tops, when I hit jus the right kind of angle, my frame will twist a tad and release the right side.

So, I just leave it down, but not latched anyway (note, I have the short hood). That way (especially durning my new engine/car etc. break in phase), I have quick access to the motor and don't have to worry about anything going crazy with the latch and sticking closed.

Thanks for that and for the info about the flu

Chuck

 

[WayneLBurnham]

Rice Burners LAUGH at me!!!

I thought that's what the 8 pound sledge hammer I carried was for...

I haven't tried adjusting mine for fear of exactly what one poster mentioned - although mine comes with an access hole covered by a grommet already, that I've tried using and it WORKS!!!

Be happy it's just the hood - and not the convertible deck...

...I am getting unnerved at the thoughts of that thing popping loose...the World's weakest, decapitating airbrake....one side would almost CERTAINLY break loose first and swing that puppy around in the airstream like a two-handed sword....

 

[vettepilot]

AAAGHH,
That top flailing around like a two handed sword, sounds ugly just picturing it.... lots of splatter. Those behind would just

vettepilot

 

[Gary42]

Re: Rice Burners LAUGH at me!!!

I thought that's what the 8 pound sledge hammer I carried was for...

Be happy it's just the hood - and not the convertible deck...

...I am getting unnerved at the thoughts of that thing popping loose...the World's weakest, decapitating airbrake....one side would almost CERTAINLY break loose first and swing that puppy around in the airstream like a two-handed sword....

Wow, that's an uuuugly thought. The rear deck lathces on my '72 have always seemed extremely solid. I've never had any fear that they would release while I was driving down the highway at top speed. The part that always seems to unlatch is the convertible roof. One of the spikes always seems to pop out. I need to adjust the screw to lengthen it so it doesn't have such a tenuous grip.

 

[Erik S. Klein]

106K miles on my '72 (most not mine, sadly) and the hood has never unlatched spontaneously.

I also never drop it from more then about 4-6 inches which is just enough force for it to catch.

To be honest I'd never heard of this problem on sharks before.

 

[LEEJANDZ]

My 1979 L-82 does this.
But normally not when driving.
I will "close" the hood... not drop it!
9 out of 10 times one side will pop right back up.
Then I have to press down on that side.
The strange thing is... it happens on both sides... but never both sides at the same time.



JASON *** BRAND NEW MAGNECOR WIRES FOR SALE!!! *** 1979 L-82

 

[Stallion]

If you are interested on changing the hardware for this, the VETTE magazine I just received has a great step-by-step article on this topic. Definitely something worth looking at. Tell me if you are interested.

Good luck!!

 

[LEEJANDZ]

Id be interested in learning more.

Do you just replace the old hardware with new... or is there an "improved" version for us?

 

[Stallion]

It's just replacement hardware, no modifications or anything. But it's safer, you replace the part that holds up your hood, for when you are in the hood. Replacement springs, latches, everything. If you would like, I will post the numbers for thos parts maybe that'll help.