Author Topic: Hood latches  (Read 8465 times)

8683jb

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Hood latches
« on: February 07, 2017, 01:34:02 PM »
Anyone have a good method or know of a good product for freeing up the spring hood latches? I'm pretty sure I've seen a discussion on this but can't find it now that I need it. Thanks.
'42 Autocar M2A1
'41 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur trailer

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Tapper02

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Re: Hood latches
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2017, 02:45:48 PM »
1942 Diamond T M3 Halftrack
  (Being restored to an M3A1 configuration)
  Frame Number M31789
  Ordnance Number 3692
  Hood Number USA W403570-S
1944 Schelm Bros. M10 Ammunition Trailer
  Serial Number 16959
MVPA # 30507

8683jb

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Re: Hood latches
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2017, 04:17:30 PM »
Thanks Tom!
'42 Autocar M2A1
'41 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur trailer

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Darth_Kitten

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Re: Hood latches
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2017, 05:07:03 PM »
Let me know if you need washers or pins. I've got a bag full of them.

8683jb

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Re: Hood latches
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2017, 05:36:40 PM »
I sure will. Thanks.
'42 Autocar M2A1
'41 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur trailer

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Monkeypirate

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Re: Hood latches
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2017, 07:08:58 AM »
You could also try "Metal rescue" its sold at home depot in the paint isle. it dissolves rust through a chemical process and works great! i tossed in some bolts that had rusted to the nuts and when i pulled them out i could spin the nuts off by hand. cost is about $25 a gallon. one gallon can typically remove 1/2 pound of rust. hope this helps.

8683jb

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Re: Hood latches
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2017, 11:23:23 PM »

Thanks Monkeypirate. I'll get some of that next time I'm at Home Depot or Lowe's. In the meantime I ran a rivet gun up & down the side of the barrel, set low, using a flush rivet set to impose a little impact and vibration. The rust cloud that came out of the seams and oil hole was incredible! Then I put a 7/16” open-end wrench in the vise to use as a fork to hold the lower end of the latch and set a piece of 3/4” round stock under the hook on the latch and put the rivet gun to it to expand the latch. I was able to get the latch to move fully both directions and now I'm soaking it in PB Blaster. I'll flush and lubricate it and hopefully that one will be done. This worked on the one latch that is not attached to the half track and maybe I can use a similar method to loosen the ones that are still attached. If not, I'll try the Metal Rescue or the heat method shown in the link above. Thank you guys for the help and I'll let you know how it goes.
'42 Autocar M2A1
'41 Nash Kelvinator Ben Hur trailer

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yd328

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Re: Hood latches
« Reply #7 on: February 09, 2017, 07:44:45 AM »
The heat and PB blaster works well too. Just be careful with the tube.

Gary