aco2451

Hey all, I just picked up a Harwood 3" fiberglass bolt-on cowl hood for $125 this past weekend, for my 92 RS project and I got it home (3 hr drive in 40+ mph cross winds) and got it bolted on and it fits perfectly.

my only problem is that I can't get it to latch completely down.

is there anything I can do to the "latch catch" mechanism in order to get the hood to latch all the way down?

or do I need to take the mechanism off and just get hood pins?

i don't want to put all my force into pushing the hood down in fear that I will crack the fiberglass

any help would be greatly appreciated.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

What isn't latching? the Safety catch or hood release?

You can adjust the rubber hood bumpers down & see if that helps.

aco2451

The release is fine, when I let the hood down it will catch and stay up (like when you just release the hood) and I have to squeeze the handle to let the hood up.

the actual catch is what is not working properly, when I put the hood down the "striker bar" hits the catch but will just stop.

With the old steel hood I had no trouble with it closing. (I would let it drop from about 6" and it would lock (I know there is a lot of weight difference)

I'm about to just take off the catch and just put hood pins in, but I would like the catch to work for added security when driving.

white gold 88

Have you tried raising the latch? IIRC There is a little adjustment up and down in the 2 bolts that hold the latch to the mount. I'd try it all the way up first then move it down a little at a time till it fit well. Lowering the hood stops to start would help as well. Once you get it to latch set the hood stops. You should be able to hold the hood down on the side to set the stops. Then finish adjusting latch for that "pop" when it opens. You already know to be careful with that glass hood. We got a new A/M one at the shop for a 'stang this week that was spider cracked everywhere. Grease on the latch may help also.

aco2451

I will give that a shot tonight and see if I can get it to latch.

Thanks for the suggestion.

BlackenedBird

iTrader: (5)

I'd try lubing/greasing the latch. Maybe it is just dry & the lighter hood won't move the latch....

6" should be high enough, but I always just lower it to the safety latch, then press mine down until I her the latch closes.

tnitz8787

IIRC there is rubber bumpers along the inside edge of the tops of the fenders that sometimes stop some aftermarket hoods from closing all the way.There also may be rubber bumpers that are threaded into the body somewhere between the headlights

aco2451

well i did enough messing around and moved the latch about a 1/4" up and it shut... the spring was hitting and stoping the momentum before it got to the latch.

thank for the help