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tips and tricks to a good restoration => tips and tricks => Topic started by: Tom @ Snake River on January 25, 2015, 07:44:31 PM

Title: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: Tom @ Snake River on January 25, 2015, 07:44:31 PM
Anyone have any luck freeing up old hood latches ?
They riveted the base to the armor and a cross rivet that could be undone.
Just wondering the best way to undo the rivets.
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: halftracknut on January 25, 2015, 08:45:56 PM
I just kept spraying with light oil and pecking with a light hammer...they soon broke free and work fine...all i had to do was add a lite od paint...
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: HenryVIII on January 26, 2015, 09:14:19 AM
Here is what I did for my hood latches. I took mine apart because some of them were rusted solid or the springs were broken and they were useless anyway. They are very simple and east to fix.

Hope this helps.
Henry

hold it tight, but be careful not to crush the tube. It is pretty thin. 
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q766/HenryVIII8/IMG_2439_zpso0fy7dvp-1.jpg) (http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/HenryVIII8/media/IMG_2439_zpso0fy7dvp-1.jpg.html)

heat it up a little with a torch. it does not need to be glowing red, just enough to loosen things up. I got a little carried away on this one because it was stubborn.
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q766/HenryVIII8/IMG_2440_zpspgpafu0d-1.jpg) (http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/HenryVIII8/media/IMG_2440_zpspgpafu0d-1.jpg.html)

Unscrew the top. Once it moved a little I let it cool down some before continuing so I did not gall the threads.
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q766/HenryVIII8/IMG_2441_zpsafint5mc-1.jpg) (http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/HenryVIII8/media/IMG_2441_zpsafint5mc-1.jpg.html)

When you get the top off you will see that there is a pin holding a washer over the spring.
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q766/HenryVIII8/IMG_2444_zpsukiwmrns-1.jpg) (http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/HenryVIII8/media/IMG_2444_zpsukiwmrns-1.jpg.html)

Remove the pin. Be careful the threads are very thin and if you are not careful and hit wrong or too hard you can damage the threads or deform the tube. It is best if you can hold the shaft against a support before pounding on the pin. I wrecked a couple tubes myself, luckily I had spares.
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q766/HenryVIII8/IMG_2445_zps3hevgagl-1.jpg) (http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/HenryVIII8/media/IMG_2445_zps3hevgagl-1.jpg.html)

These are all the parts of the latch. I got new springs from the local hardware store. They should also be available from McMaster-carr.
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q766/HenryVIII8/IMG_2447_zpss7wb2gbc.jpg) (http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/HenryVIII8/media/IMG_2447_zpss7wb2gbc.jpg.html)

Then sandblasted the parts and ready to reassemble.
(http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums/q766/HenryVIII8/IMG_2436_zpsedb32952.jpg) (http://s1358.photobucket.com/user/HenryVIII8/media/IMG_2436_zpsedb32952.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: Lordsandy on January 26, 2015, 09:23:51 AM
Would it be possible to do this in place?
Great info, thanks!
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: 67tank on January 30, 2015, 05:47:48 PM
HenryVIII - Thanks much.  I have one stuck and had no idea on how to fix it.  Going to try this weekend. 
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: autocar925 on February 24, 2015, 10:18:51 AM
Yes it can be done in place.  Did one last weekend easily.  Just heated the tube in the area around the threads and screwed it right off.
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: Lordsandy on July 06, 2015, 07:11:30 AM
Henry
How did you get from pic three, with the pin down in the tube to pic four where it's above the tube so you can punch it out?
Thanks, Jim
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: yd328 on July 06, 2015, 07:10:36 PM
Jim,
I am working on mine now, I had to tap on the post from the bottom with a small hammer and held the tube in my hand. I also used some penetrating oil and heat depending on how stuck each one was. Tapping back and forth got them moving to get the pin out.

Gary
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: HenryVIII on July 07, 2015, 04:17:47 AM
Jim, Pretty much like Gary said. I used a small ball peen hammer and tapped on the pin and cylinder. You will knock loose lots of rust and dirt, just keep tapping and twisting and dumping out the loose stuff. Eventually it should get loose enough that you should be able to get at the pin.

Henry   
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: Lordsandy on August 24, 2015, 09:11:13 AM
 Does anybody have replacement part numbers from the Mcmaster-carr for the springs in washers?
Title: Re: Freeing up old hood latches ? ?
Post by: yd328 on August 24, 2015, 07:13:18 PM
Here are the parts I used. I had to cut 3 coils off of the springs.

Springs 9657K459
Washers 91922A305
Pins 98381A438

If you want any pins or washers I can send you some.

Gary