Hood latches

[Tom maxwell]

At the Beardsley Cider Mill show this past weekend, a conversation started about the proper orientation of the hood latches. After looking at a number of A's at the show, about 60% had the latches facing what was determined to be correct.....that being the flat side towards the engine compartment. In this direction, when the latch is released, the latch can fall onto exposed fender paint.
My question is why wouldn't Ford put the flat face outboard so that the latch relaxes down into the engine area so that the scratch would occur in a area not easily exposed to view.
This became a large discussion on why some are installed backwards.
Any reasons why these were put on to fall out rather then in?
PS.... A great Model A and T show in Sheldon
Hope to be in attendance next year also... Thanks for opening the Mill for this show
Had a great ride up the Merritt Parkway from NY

Tom

 

[redmodelt]

Think about it, do you want to fish both latches out of the engine bay each time you closed the hood? Ford was building cars and was not too concerned if the latch came in contact with the fender or hood sill. Besides that's what the rubber tips are for.

 

[Marco Tahtaras]

Originally the latches fit so that the base of the latch barrel would lightly bottom out on the fender flange below the latch (hidden) and not lean back far enough to hit the fender skirt. It would actually cause more damage closing the hood down over a latch that was laying down into the engine compartment. Apparently most folks aren't bothered by knocking paint off the bottom edges of the hood!

 

[Tom maxwell]

Now I'm really confused.
The raised flat surface I would think is to prevent the latch on one side not to flop down on that side.
Most people....60%....said the flat side is only there to prevent it from hitting the inside the engine compartment and paint. That leaves the paint on the fender subject to chipping.
The two reply's so far seem to say opposite sides.
So I ask ....was the flat face on the latch to prevent the latch from falling freely to one side or the other. Is so, what side? If not , what is the purpose of the raised flat side?
Also if the answer is a rubber bumper, was that bumper original ?
Tom

 

[waxhead]

Could someone please post a picture of the correct orientation to clear this up? Thanks

 

[Redbird]

Here you go!

 

[waxhead]

Thank you

 

[Tom Wesenberg]

Those extra plastic caps are not an original part, but many use them for paint protection.

Also note that the part that hooks into the hood pocket on repro latches is quite sharp and not like an original.