!937 Ford hood latch question

[steelman]

I was wondering if anybody knows if somebody makes a reproduction hood latch( probably not the right term) for a 1937 ford sedan. I'm talking about the little metal piece that mounts to the hood with two screws and has a little "v" on it to keep the hood ornament from turning?

Thanks,

Alan

 

[ford38v8]

Men can't visualize with just a word description. Post a picture of your little "v"

 

[Zeke3]

I think the latch piece is a round piece with a square hole in the middle and a notch on the outer edge that is engaged by a flat spring when the handle is latched. I have not seen a reproduction of that part, check with barnfind08 to see if he has a NOS one or post a want ad in the swap meet area here.

 

[TJ]

Not sure . but I think Karl Wescott may make it. Check page 4 of the New Products thread and I think you will see what you are needing for the 37.

 

[Karl Wescott]

This?

 

[petehoovie]

This?

 

[barnfind08]

Should have one

 

[Zeke3]

Thanks for posting a picture of the latch piece, it has a little more shape to it than I remember.

 

[steelman]

Here are some pictures of the piece I tried to describe.

Thanks,

Steelman

 

[JayChicago]

Thanks for posting those pics. My '37 hood latch won't stay put when latched. Now I know why. On my car, that strap spring piece with the V shape is missing!
Now the question is, where can I get one? I may have to fabricate something.

 

[Karl Wescott]

Thanks for clarifying Steelman!


Now that I know what to look for, the 1937 chassis book shows: 78-16635 "Spring, hood latch top tension". My 1938-41 chassis book also interchanges it to 1939 pickup and truck (not 1938?). There is an illustration in the 1938-41 book showing the similar 81A-16635 fitting 1938 std and dlx and 1939 std.


Fabricating should be straightforward, however this being a spring is likely some sort of tempered spring steel so getting a functional material will be critical.


If someone who has an original 1937 (or also an original 1938-39) could dimension my attached sketch and confirm if it is a spring steel (or bronze) someone could fabricate their own, and I will likely make a short run to have them available.

 

[JayChicago]

If someone who has an original 1937 (or also an original 1938-39) could dimension my attached sketch and confirm if it is a spring steel (or bronze) I will likely make a short run to have them available.

Fantastic! You already have two customers on this thread.

 

[v8fordman]

Karl, I have one you can use if you would like to make some. They are made of spring steel. Email me at v8fordman@hotmail.com