There was a thread a couple weeks ago about hood latches and the springs that hold them in. I've done a search, but can't put my fingers on it. Do you guys remember the link?
Michael,
Not sure which one you are referencing.
Put this (without quotes) in your Google window, click on the search button, and from the results, pick the one you want:
"Hood Latch assembly MTFCA"
http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/354024.html?1365518965
If you do a Google search of the mtfca messages for hood latches and springs it is the first thing that comes up. Like:
"hood latches and springs site:http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/" (Without the quotes)
Jim
Here's a recent thread on Steve Jelf's problems mounting the springs: http://www.mtfca.com/cgi-bin/discus/show.cgi?tpc=331880&post=555237
I make the springs to Ford drawings except I made them out of stainless spring steel rather than ordinary spring steel. They don't need painting and won't rust since you can't keep paint on them anyway with all the rubbing. Typical repro hood clip springs have too many coils and will "stack" when you pull up thus not allowing you to easily get the hood "unhooked" from the latch. As others have pointed out you need to have the correct spring with the correct latch. I install mine with a tool that I made from a piece of brass tubing as was suggested by someone else in one of the threads. The only thing I will add is that if you have a lathe then put a counterbore into the top end of the tube that will fit the OD of the washer and drop the washer into that counterbore. Adjust the length of the tube to fit snugly inside the frame with compressed spring on top and you will need 2 of them of different length to make the job easier since the frame height is different between front and back. I loaned out my pair of those tubes I made and I don't know who has them so I can't take a picture of them for you but a slot in the counterbored end is all that you then need. You compress and align the spring under the frame hole and then drop in the latch and put the cotterpin in place. Then pull up on the latch to release the tube tool.
Thanks All...
John..How do I go about getting these springs from you? And, could the person who borrowed that tool, please return it so we can get a photo!
Michael:
They are up on Fun Projects web site
www.funprojects.com
There are early and late versions both made to Ford drawings on file here.