Hood Won't Latch

[Jesse R Pearson]

Hi all. This is my first post. I bought an '87 V10 yesterday and the hood won't latch. The big release hook latches, but the metal loop on the underside of the hood won't connect to the latch so my hood is always a little open. Any idea why? Thanks!

 

[nabeshin]

Should be round bumpers on either side that can be screwed down a bit, then the hood should close fully or more easily.

 

[Jesse R Pearson]

Should be round bumpers on either side that can be screwed down a bit, then the hood should close fully or more easily.

Where are the round bumpers? On top of the core support next to the latch or on the underside of the hood?

 

[nabeshin]

On the core support, unless I'm trippin'

Maybe the early trucks were different from the later ones...

 

[Jesse R Pearson]

On the core support, unless I'm trippin'

Maybe the early trucks were different from the later ones...

I found them and only one was a little loose. I tightened it down, but it still didn't latch.

 

[Turbo4whl]

The pull cable for the hood release could be stuck, or the pull back spring broken. You may need a new cable. You should be able to reach in and push it back, might need a screwdriver or something to push it.

If you can get it to work, try lubing the latch.

 

[Rusty Nail]

Forget the core support.

Look at the hood, see it separated at that seam* what contains the catch?
It's all loose right?

Run ya some self tappers @89Suburban (4 or 5) try n peench em two pieces of sheet closed and try again.

Post a pix next time.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[AuroraGirl]

If its entering but not fully, think bumpers. if its not entering, its kinda just throwing at it, think pin alignment, if it enters fully, nothing clasps down, check cable, lube cable, check latch, lube latch, check for missing parts. If it looks wrong, it might be. What rusty said, although im not 100% sure on, im sure is a great idea.

I think hes saying the part that rivets a plate into a sandwich? if memory serves my hood latch right.

 

[Shorty81]

Welcome fellow Buckeye, I'm about 70 miles West of you.

 

[nabeshin]

Mine was a hard slam until I adjusted the bumpers now it closes like a Mercedes door, I'd assume.

 

[SquareRoot]

Forget the core support.

Look at the hood, see it separated at that seam* what contains the catch?
It's all loose right?

Run ya some self tappers @89Suburban (4 or 5) try n peench em two pieces of sheet closed and try again.

Post a pix next time.

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

This happened to me. 4 self tappers and a can of wd40 fixed her right up. Time for an LS Swap.

 

[Jesse R Pearson]

Check out these photos guys. I was never able to get it to latch. What do you think?

 

[Rusty Nail]

I think the latch looks closed. Bet it don't shut worth a damn like that!
Move the hookey over to the other side with your finger and try again. The "return spring" looks like it is broke or otherwise missing.
Thus, it is unable to reset- you'll have to do it manually.
nice pix

 

[Jesse R Pearson]

I tried that and it didn't work. Here is a photo of the back side of the latch. It looks like the catch on the under side of the hood isn't even getting down far enough.

 

[Turbo4whl]

The latch has been hammered on the drivers side. The latch needed to be adjusted towards the driver's side. The striker bar in the hood is hitting the wrong side of the latch trigger.

May be too late now since the latch is so bent down. If you move it now it will probably lock, but being bent it might not release. I would look to replace the latch with a good used part.

The two bolts facing the front are in slots. Loosen those two bolts and move the latch towards the driver's side if you want to try adjusting. Please add some oil to the pivots of the two moving pieces.