Help!  I can't seem to keep the driver's side hood latch closed on my '68 roadster.  This, of course, allows engine heat to flow directly into my cowl vent.  Any ideas on how to fix this? 

In order to keep the hood flush with the body, I have to screw the male pin all the way in, and I mean ALL the way in.. . . . I've made sure the latch mechanism is free and working, so, unless it's time to start replacing parts, I can't think of what else to do.

I'd appreciate your assistance.

Thanks!

Alan

Sounds like an alignment problem.  If you have to screw the pin all the way in, are you certain it is locking under the release catch?  Is the pin damaged or worn in any way? When you click it into place (you should place the hood down on its catches and then manually press both sides down one by one as this saves stress on the fiberglass hood) is there a positive click and do you have to press don really hard? If so you may just have a hood bumper that is too high which won't let your hood drop into the correct place and latch properly.

chips58 is right on the money. Had the same problem last year. After my mechanic got done replacing my tach the hood started popping. When I asked him if he had done anything to my hood he said yeah I adjusted your hood. Thanks I said but you screwed it up. Had to tell him not to touch anything but what he was told to fix. Simple adjustment and all was well.

Gents, A Corvette hood is not ment to be pressed down on each side? The correct way to close a corvette hood is to hold it on the center leading edge next to the windshield and in a downward motion close it with your hand. If either side does not latch it's out of alignment. Pushing down on each side will eventualy scratch and show stress cracks. Lubracate the latches and keep adjusting the pop up pins, if one side is to high and one to low it will not close correctly. I just went through this with mine. The Chevrolet Dealer who works on my car saw me drop the hood and then walk around and press each side to lock. The dealers Corvette head tech came over and gave me a lesson. This is the way I now close my hood. You may choose any way to close your hood, what ever works for you, it's your car..

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   "I Love all Corvettes! LifeTime Member #60..Terry"

That may be correct on the later cars with no scuttle vent or wiper door.  I'd be a bit hesitant to push mine in the center, it would be putting more stress on the hood than pressing down each corner.

Anyone else have ideas on this?

Jack, can you describe the "simple adjustment"?  I'm reluctant to start loosening the bolts that attach the hood to the hinges.  How do you know which way to go and how far?

 

alan

I have been fighting this very problem on my '74 since I've owned it!
So far, I have not found any adjustment that will keep the driver side from "popping" as I drive it. It do make for a HOT drive!!! I've adjusted the latches, pins, cables, everything. I have finally accepted this as "one-o-them thangs"
The hood does go down nicely, and it latches on both sides. The driver side will pop up after driving a few miles. It is down-right aggrevating.

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Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

with the hood open youll see the hood stop. By the firewall. It's in front of the latch on one side of the car, behind the latch on the otherside of the car. Take the rubber bumper off, loosen the nut and adjust the screw up or down depending on your needs. Sounds like you need to go down (clockwise) on the screw. I would suggest only doing a 1/4 turn, check to see if It pops if it does go another 1/4 turn. Try and keep the hood even with the fender, height wise. If the hood goes below the fender too far I would think you have a different problem. Check the latches for wear, lube everything. With the hood open have someone pull the hood release and make sure everything goes all the way home when they let go. Your latch might not be going all the way home.