New hood latches?

R

robertarley

Junior Member
My 1931 Ford Coupe came with chrome hood latches that are ill-fitting and not even correct for a Model A. (They have a double finger grip and probably came off of an RV.)

I've since learned that they should be shiny black (lacquered or powder-coated)

However, my first Google inquiry came up with these two entries. Neither mention how the glossy coating is applied, but what is up with the extremely diverse pricing?

This is a per-each price from two different sellers. I went to their respective websites, and there was no info--technical ot otherwise to explain the price difference

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Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated.

Cheers
 
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The 2 finger type are used on the old flat fender Jeeps. I’m sure that they were used on other applications as well but definitely on the Jeeps.
 
Is this a vehicle that's going to be in shows or judging? If not, you can contact Steve Becker at Bert's Model A Store, 1-800-321-1931, and he would most likely have good used originals at a very reasonable price.
 
There are forged hooks, and pressed hooks, two hole attachments, and three hole attachments. There is an inner spring too. A wire brush is your friend.
 
BButturff said:
Is this a vehicle that's going to be in shows or judging? If not, you can contact Steve Becker at Bert's Model A Store, 1-800-321-1931, and he would most likely have good used originals at a very reasonable price.
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I don't plan on competing at the top "point" level. Maybe the "touring" or "driving" class, but it isn't a big priority. Still, as I replace the many non-original-type items on my car, I want to use authentic, if not original, parts--that is, unless the originals are beyond rejuvenation.

I've looked at some used latches for sale on eBay, and all of them looked pretty scarred and beat up--probably with stretched springs also. I know at least one of the vendors out there sells a new repro with the added benefit of the finish being powder coated, which would ultimately be more durable than lacquer. (CWMoss, it turns out)

My main point of this thread was the seemingly ridiculous difference in pricing between Eklers and Speedway. I could almost buy all four latches from Speedway for the price of just one from Eklers. (Unless the items from Speedway are pure foreign-made junk)

Cheers
 
i bought the ones from speedway and the hook was not long enough to catch the hood, as said if you have the time look for orig ones.
 
First, welcome to the Barn. There are several suppliers for your needs. At last count I had 7 catalogs from different suppliers. You don't say where you're located, but there may be a supplier near you. I like Synders and Berts, but there's also Brattons, Mikes, Tams, etc. Look around.
Marty
 
marty in Ohio said:
First, welcome to the Barn. There are several suppliers for your needs. At last count I had 7 catalogs from different suppliers. You don't say where you're located, but there may be a supplier near you. I like Synders and Berts, but there's also Brattons, Mikes, Tams, etc. Look around.
Marty
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Unfortunately, as of a few months ago, Bratton’s has closed.
 
old31 said:
What happened with Brattons? Why did they close?
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They had really high fixed costs (didn’t own either the building or the business outright, so paying on both each month), and competing with Snyders on price cut into their margin, and ultimately it didn’t pencil out.
 
My understanding is they are continuing in the mfg and wholesale aspects. Which is more beneficial to the hobby than retail. There are many great retailers that have large inventory and super shipping.
Now, the mfg end is a completely different story….dropping like flies! The economic quality to make something plus rising costs just makes our hobby unattractive to supply parts (and some services).
 
Oldbluoval said:
My understanding is they are continuing in the mfg and wholesale aspects. Which is more beneficial to the hobby than retail. There are many great retailers that have large inventory and super shipping.
Now, the mfg end is a completely different story….dropping like flies! The economic quality to make something plus rising costs just makes our hobby unattractive to supply parts (and some services).
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What do they manufacture?

David Serrano
 
If I remember correctly bratton's was the only manufacturer to correctly make the headlight reflector assemblies And I also purchased a set when they 1st became available Of course now you have people converting over to LEDS!!!
 
When you install whatever hood latches you buy, be sure to orient them so that they are blocked from falling towards the engine. There is a built-in strip of metal around the base that stops the latch from falling over, unlike the open side. I would guess 8 out of 10 Model A's I see and/or work on have the latches installed backwards. The latches should fall completely over towards the outside of the car. Maybe a bit counter-intuitive, but I suppose Ford designed them this way to prevent people dropping the hood panels down on top of the horizontal latches, possibly damaging the hood and the latches.
Marshall
 
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Even if you can’t find perfect originals, you can always rebuild them. MiIG weld the worn slot and oblong pin holes and grind and drill to new condition. Originally always beats the reproduction.
 

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AYooperA said:
Even if you can’t find perfect originals, you can always rebuild them. MiIG weld the worn slot and oblong pin holes and grind and drill to new condition. Originally always beats the reproduction.
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I appreciate the sentiment, but in this case, it is only practical if one owns everything necessary to MIG weld and knows that they have other uses for it. One must also be able to weigh the cost effectiveness of an original versus a repro.

By the time I buy some beat-up old originals, (priced about the same as the repros on eBay) and possibly have to buy new springs, buy a MIG welder plus accessories (I sold my welder when I downsized after retiring about 20 years ago), then prepare the scratched-up and scarred originals for priming and painting (which will likely not hold up as well as new powder-coated repro) I will possibly be out 5 or 10 times the cost of a set of new reproductions not to mention the time and labor.

I'll be 81 in just 5 months, and figure that I really don't have that much time or energy to spare. Besides, I've developed a real lazy streak in my old age. ;):D

Cheers
 
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Marshall: I appreciate your theory on hood latch installation but on all my A's I install the metal base strip on the outside to prevent the latch from falling on the fender & scratching it. I haven't looked through the judging standards to see if they mention it as I don't care, my A's are all drivers.
 
As I wrote, it seems counter-intuitive the way Ford oriented the latches. I prefer your method for practicality, too. Not wishing to have Sidewalk Commando Experts pointing out to the owners of Model A's I have restored/repaired that I installed the latches backwards, I'll still do it Henry's way, biting my tongue the whole time. If the owners want to switch them around on their own later, I only ask that they tell the "experts" that was their doing. I did it the Ford way. :)
M.
 
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