Mickmate's round hood latch bases
 

Hi all. I want to use mickmate’s (Acton Custom) round hood latch bases as I refresh the hood latches on my car. See pic below:

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...Hood_latch.jpg


So how do I prepare the hood latches to use the round bases? See pic below:

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...mbs/img110.jpg

I guess I would start by filing off the swedges on the square shaft to remove the brass spring cup and elliptical base.

Then, how do I retain the brass spring cup after I put the new round base on? Do I try to re-swedge it? Drill the shaft and pin it?

Nick, your website says the hole spacing on the round bases is different than the elliptical base. What is the hole spacing? Did the original cars orientate the holes fore and aft or side to side?


Also, can anyone provide me with info about the hood latch tabs on a 427 cobra. These are the little tabs mounted on the hood opening flange above the firewall that the hood latchs engage to hold the hood closed. See pic below:

http://www.clubcobra.com/photopost/d...m_receiver.jpg


They appear to be a piece of metal folded in a ">" shape(to give it some spring??). I've seen them in many engine compartment pics of original cars, but was wondering if someone could give me some detail so I could duplicate them on my car:
Metal type (spring steel, alum?)
Dimensions?
Method of fastening to hood opening flange?

Or do I keep it simple and fab a 90deg bracket and attach it to the firewall?

Any help or thoughts would be appreciated.

Cheers
Greg

The protrusions from the steel tube at the leading edge of the cowl are just mild steel sheet metal formed and positioned to give the tangs on the catch mechanisms something to slide under as the handles are rotated. That design developed early in the CSX24xx chassis run of Cobras and continued to all following chassis from AC.

The handles used by AC just had the chrome plated L shaped casting on the square steel shaft.


This a shot of the "Shelby" latches from a CSX209x car. The later Wilmot Breeden supplied handles are not the same of course and all the pieces are different but the same type anti-rattle spring arrangement was used. (The split keys are similar to the original type but not exact. They are just there in this image to hold everything in place.)

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...Tear-Drops.jpg

Time for another video. You can either hammer the crimps on the shaft flat or file them off. If you need any parts to go with it I have them all, including (sheet metal) hood latch tabs for the body or latch brackets for the hood.
http://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/xq90/607/drjz.jpg
No, they won't quite cover the holes of elliptical bases.

Thanks Mickmate. I'll check your website for the parts.

Cheers
Greg