Hey guys, I have 55 Bel Air 4 door and lately the hood won't shut properly. I have to repeatedly slam it and just sometimes it will latch. Has anyone had this before? I had the grille powdercoated a while back so I was thinking it had something to do with the alignment of the latch to the lock plate (I think that is what it is called...) Anyway, I was looking at the latch, and it appears straight forward. The bottom hook piece moves in to allow the upper hook piece to lock it in place. Well right now the upper hook piece will only go into place if the latch handle is open? Any suggestions????? -Cory
Hey, First order is to check that the safety latch/hook works now! Spray grease, as suggested , is the best lube. How's the alignment of the front end sheet metal,does the fender to hood gap look good? Did anything, other than the grille get moved when ya had it power coated and re hung? S****ey Devils C.C.
Besides lubing it, you should ensure the locking plate is aligned with the latch. Steal some of your kid's playdough and put golf ball sized blob of it ontop of the square hole in the plate. Then close the hood and re-open it. The imprint in the squished playdough shows where the latch comes down into the plate's hole. If it's not centered in the hole, adjust either/both of them until they are aligned. Hope this helps.
I am going to play with it tomorrow. The hood will close after slamming it multiple times, and I'm positive that GM didn't design it that way. Thanks for all the advice, and no I don't have kids. I'm 23 and my experience in this hobby is still limited in comparison to some of the guru's on this board. I can't thank you guys enough for the advice. -Cory
I just sprayed the latch with that white grease and the problem completely went away. Thanks again guys!!!! -Cory
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