More Tech Issues

Secondary Hood Latch On Hawk Models

By Pete Yuen

The secondary hood latches on the Hawk models are installed as a safety feature. It is to restrain the hood from flying off the car when driven in the event that the primary catch fails to hold the hood securely. After hearing of Hawk owners that have lost their hood while driving, it was learned that in each case, the secondary latch did not do the job that it was intended to do. . . To secure and hold the hood down. When driving and the hood suddenly comes up and over the car, it is not a fun thing to experience. The immediate danger is that it has blocked the view of the driver but it could get worse as the hood becomes detached from the car it becomes a hazard to other motorists on the road. When the hood is airborne, nobody has any idea of where it will come down. Once the hood is on the way down, it is a potential killer to other motorists in the vicinity.

When the secondary latch is installed on the car, it is spot welded. . . Insufficiently spot welded and therefore not strong enough to do the job of securing the latch on to the plate to which it is welded. If you are a proud owner of a Hawk and have not yet lost your hood, have the secondary latch securely welded before disaster strikes.

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A bolt may be used to secure the base of the secondary latch to plate F. If this is to be attempted, one must make sure that it will not restrict the movement of the latch release mechanism as it pivots from rivet marked

"E." To ensure that the nut does not come loose, use either LocTite or self locking nut.

Suggested bolt size to be 5/16". Locate it so that it does not restrict movement of the latch operation.

The hood latch assembly is described as Plate Assembly, identified as item number 1622-65, part number 1326666 for C-K cars, ‘59 to ‘62. For ‘63, ‘64 K models, the number is 1351370.