I've got an 86 GXL which originally had a steel hood. I've got a mismatched aluminum hood from an 86 base on it right now. I have a fiberglass hood awaiting paint that will be replacing the aluminum hood, but I want to figure this issue out first before I screw up my new hood.

If I slam the hood, it will only latch to the safety latch, not all the way. If I press on the front of the hood, it latches no problem, but then if I hit a bump or "fonz" the hood, it pops back up. I've been driving around with it bungee corded down for fear of it flying open...lol

I thought it was hitting something under the hood, like my fuel pressure regulator or maybe the radiator or something, but I put grease on them and slammed the hood and nothing transferred. I'm at a loss.

I tried raising the hood latch and raising it in the back and that might have helped a little but it didn't fix it.

Any ideas? What's wrong?

 

You've tried adjusting the hood latch?

There are two different part numbers for the steel or alloy hoods but the only functional difference is the strength of the spring, so you don't really have to worry about that.

I found it necessary to enlarge/slot the holes in my latch to get decent lock action.

 

Yeah, the latch didn't move a whole lot, I'll try slotting them.

You moved the latch UP, yes?

 

I don't really remember...it's a process of "try this and see", close hood, open hood...lather, rinse, repeat till you get it right.
Total pain, really.

A good body shop guy could probably do it in a tenth the time (and attempts) that I took.

 

The best thing to do would be to get a Hood latch for the Aluminum hood.
I found that the Steel hood latches DO exactly what you say.Don't lock the hood down correctly,.You have to Slam the hood and you are alway worrying about that "one time" that it Could open and really Screw things UP.
Honestly Shaolin,I wouldn't waste my time dickering with the Hood latch,I would Replace it..IT turns into a Safety factor,Hood opens on the freeway and There ya GO!.
I like reading your Comments Here..,BUT,I don't wanna Read ABOUT YA..(get my drift?).
I have a couple latches here,But I am not sure what they are off of.IF I find out one is FOR an aluminum hood,I could ship to you,and you can have it for shipping.
I'll see if I can find them,if you are in need,,OK?.lmk.,Cheers Dave/STYX.

 

As I said before, the two latch assemblies are exactly the same except for spring that holds the locking pawl.
The strength of this spring is only a consideration when closing the hood, has absolutely noting to do with holding the hood once the latch is fastened.
If the OP finds -after the latch adjustment, which will solve his issue- that it's too hard to lock the hood down ( i.e., he must push harder than he'd like), a quick trip to the spring selection in most Ace Hardware stores will provide a lighter spring he might like better.
For less than the cost of the postage of your most generous offer, I might add, Mr.

 

Just a thought: is the release cable sticking open?

 

Just a point of reference. The latch for the steel hood will work just fine with the aluminum hood. Installed an aluminum hood on my '90 N/A and had no problems at all. So I suggest you fiddle with the up/down adjustment on the latch until the hood will stay down. Sounds like you need to move the latch up a smidge.

 

I just used some pliers to stretch the stock "steel" hood latch spring so it wouldn't take a slam to latch the aluminum one - worked like a charm. If you're slamming the aluminum hood, it is entirely possible to push the latch up and give your hood an "outie".

If I'd had the chance, I would have just got the aluminum hood latch, but I got my hood as a loose hood, not off a parts car.

 

I don't think it's a hood latch spring issue...because I can get it to lock down fine, it's not like I'm slamming it hard or anything...but if I whack the hood with a closed fist right above the latch it pops right back up...like the "locker in place thingy" is worn out...so, maybe a new latch might help?


This is kind of how I'm leaning right now...unless, of course, there IS something hitting the hood from the underside and I've just missed it, but there's nothing obvious, and I think it would have to be pretty obvious to cause the issue I'm having.

Entirely possible, I suppose. I haven't checked it because I haven't had to use the hood release to open the hood for awhile

I'll see if I can replicate the problem with a screwdriver and maybe blame the latch.

 

EXACT same problem when using a screwdriver. The hood isn't the issue...thanks guys, I guess I buy another latch...

 

Scratch that, it was definitely the cable! I'm an idiot.