SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1967 Shelby GT350/500 => Topic started by: 67 GT350 on May 22, 2019, 07:23:59 PM

Title: hood latch
Post by: 67 GT350 on May 22, 2019, 07:23:59 PM
DO 67's have a special hood latch? I installed a hood latch on my hood, went to shut the hood and it was off a huge amount, wasn't even close. I would think the location of the latch near the inboard lights is the same place as a Mustang latch. Where the lever bolts in on the hood I also would think it would be the same as the Mustang. Could my hood have been damaged years ago and the position is not correct? I will get some pictures in a few days. Right now the only way to keep my hood down is the use of the hood pins....scary.
Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: Bob Gaines on May 22, 2019, 07:41:33 PM
Quote from: Frankie on May 22, 2019, 07:23:59 PM
DO 67's have a special hood latch? I installed a hood latch on my hood, went to shut the hood and it was off a huge amount, wasn't even close. I would think the location of the latch near the inboard lights is the same place as a Mustang latch. Where the lever bolts in on the hood I also would think it would be the same as the Mustang. Could my hood have been damaged years ago and the position is not correct? I will get some pictures in a few days. Right now the only way to keep my hood down is the use of the hood pins....scary.
The 67 Shelby used the standard Mustang hood latch. There is a 67 and early 68 hood latch and a hood latch for the rest of 68 . The early latch has shorter locating "teeth" and 68 longer.
Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: 67350#1242 on May 22, 2019, 07:47:19 PM
Is the position off left to right or fore and aft?  The latch should be in same position as regular mustang as you stated.  There is some L/R adjustment as well as up/down but no fore/aft.   There is quite a bit of room for error in the fore/aft and any previous damage that big should be obvious.
Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: JD on May 22, 2019, 11:12:25 PM
Do you have the "L" shaped catch bar?  See attached.

Also compare of '67 vs '68 hood latch

and latch attached to the hood...
Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: roddster on May 23, 2019, 10:03:16 AM
  Well, you could remove the latch, carefully close the hood and observe how it fits.
    When installing and adjusting there is often trial and error until it fits well.  Never mess with the latch and just slam the hood closed.
Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: 67 GT350 on May 23, 2019, 10:22:57 AM
I will get up there today and take some pictures, also I did not know that 67 was different from 68, not sure what I got.
Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: roddster on May 24, 2019, 02:50:34 PM
  For future reference:  The way the latch bolts on and adjusts does not matter if the latch is a 67 or a 68.  Just those two "fingers" that stick down are longer on a true 68 latch.
Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: 67 GT350 on May 24, 2019, 03:20:33 PM
Wouldn't you know it I forgot the latch and was up to where the car is, I personally think the mounting on the hood is bent back a bit, and I went to see if I would bend it and it is too solid for me to move it.
Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: 67 GT350 on June 03, 2019, 08:34:52 AM
OK, sorry for the delay. Here are some pictures. See what you think. I think my hood bracket is not right.
Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: JD on June 03, 2019, 08:45:30 AM
Can you fully close the hood or does the latch prevent that happening?

Yes it does look as though the latch is angled back a bit.  Looks like the mounting surface for the latch may not be at the correct angle?  Was the hood damaged and repaired?

Title: Re: hood latch
Post by: 67 GT350 on June 03, 2019, 08:57:28 AM
The hood looks good, but I do suspect that maybe yes it was hit. It is so solid, the mounting on the hood, that I don't know how I would bend that, It might be like jaw surgery, it might have to be broken and then fixed!