I am thinking on my next build(36 Ford PU) I will run without the side panels. I'm curious how you guys deal with this? I like the leather straps, but not for this build...wrong era. The front side would be easier I think, because of the access to the grille backside, but the back one confuses me. I was thinking of a spring loaded pin of some sorts, just trying to work out the sub-structure.
I use screen door springs stretched across and fasten with R clips through hood side hinge pin holes Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Maybe something like this at the four corners of the hood? https://www.amazon.com/JQK-Stainless-Thickened-Brushed-Finished/dp/B07F2TK29M
I got way involved in a project like this. In the end it looks simple and works pretty well. We can run with or without side panels and open either side of the hood. Being it's a Chevy I needed rad support rods so I made the Hood Latch units replace them. With the sides off nothing shows below the hood top lower edge. With the sides on and top open you don't see anything. You can remove all 4 pieces and all that's there is the support tube with the latch pins in it. Maybe there's something here you can spin off of to get your job done. This file is Photo heavy and if you think this is something you'd like to see more of I will do a little work to transfer into something I can post up here. This photo is just the tube for each latch and is fully adjustable for hood and grill alignment. It was a little more than a days work but I like the end result, so does the Customer.
I have thought of doing the same. Does the hood stay in place when you fold it over or do you have to release the spring?
That's where my mind was heading. I was picturing a rectangular tube like 1/2"-3/4" tall and maybe 1/4" thick. It could even be solid, but that seems like overkill.
This ended up working out quite well. It let's me fully adjust for hood gaps. There are 4 latch points total mounted inside the sq. tube and both on each side release with one pull knob on each side. This started life as a kit and I then used what I liked and made the rest to end up with what I wanted. I folded up a channel and made it fit tight to hang the side panel on the tube then fastened it at the bottom. With the side off and the top down nothing shows. That's not at all how the Kit was designed to be installed.
I used spring-loaded non-metallic pins held in place with square tubing welded to my '32 hood. The pins lock into small "L" brackets screwed/welded/riveted to the radiator shell and firewall. These are completely hidden when the hood is in place and also allows hood sides if desired.
That's very cool. That something you just put random pieces together or were they a repurposed latch? That's exactly what I am after.
A friend suggested using those pins that secured his Brookville Roadster Model A pickup's tail gate. I bought them from McMaster Carr, but haven't seen or been able to find them for some time.
Looks Like you just reach under there and pull the plunger on the back side. I found these on the old web. https://www.mcmaster.com/spring-loaded-pins/l-handle-weld-mount-retractable-spring-plungers/
The hood sides secure the tops, so the pins would just be pushed out of the tubing until the sides are removed.
There are many styles of pins/plungers to choose from, but finding non-metallic not so easy. Advantages are no squeaks, rattles, or rust issues.
The Jalopy Journal
