Hood popping open

[Weelan]

This seems to be happening on a certain stretch of road by my place, when I'm driving along it gets a little bumpy and the hood pops open, at about 55mph(the speed limit). I've also noticed as I get to higher speeds like around 70 the hood wobbles up and down on the corners toward the rear. Not sure what the problems are, I'd really like to fix them, they make me nervous.

[rlux4]

Sounds like you need to adjust your hood latch. It's pretty common for the corners of the hood to flutter at speed. There's a high/low pressure thing going on under the hood that increases with speed. I put a magnet on the corner that fluttered on my car. It's just thick enough so that when the hood is closed it just barely touches it.

Ron

[Weelan]

should i take it off and fiddle with it? haha. do you think it's just old and grimey? it doesn't pop up well when i pull the lever either.

Oh, that's clever, I'll give that a go. Did you get a rather strong magnet? How thick roughly? I guess this can vary based on the car probably.

[124JOE]

my 78 had a different hook on the hood than the 80 hood i have on it since repainting
for years i would stand in front and slam it
last year i bought the correct hook for it,and readjusted it latch
now it closes gently,but flutters a bit,but theres nothing to worry about
because it opens from the rear the air flow will only lift a unlached hood a few inches

my hood is probably bent in the center
by fall all will be right

[Weelan]

I'll check the hook and latch. What kind of adjustments are there to do on the latch? It seems like that's probably the problem. Cause it is tough to close and doesn't pop up when I pull the lever and it pops open on good bumps at decent speed.

[azruss]

the latch is spring loaded. Sounds like it needs some cleaning and lubrication. The latch is located with oversized holes for adjustment. means it can be shifted both side to side and up and down. It is possible you have it set so low that the latch isnt closing entirely and is binding on the hook when released. see if you can make sure the latch is centered side to side and the hook is falling in the middle of the trough. may be able to do this with a mirror and light and watch as the hood starts to close. might be able to see where it hits by wear marks. try adjusting the latch upward until the hood latches easily and is loose. now lower the latch in increments until you find that "just right" spot.

[rlux4]

I got the magnets from Lowes, in the hardware dept. I used two, glued side by side to the cowel. They're 3/8" thick by 7/8 X 1-7/8". Only the driver's side of my hood fluttered, so I've only got them on that side.
Ron

[TX82FIAT]

I agree with adjusting the latch completely. Also, to help reduce vibration on the hood. After adjusting the latch so it closes propertly see if the corners of your hood still flutter a good amount. On the corner of each side of the hood is a rubber or foam type spacer that creates seperation between the hood metal and cowl metal. Two things i have seen on my cars. Over time the hood will actually change it's form by just a few millameters and some gentle force on the hood will move it back in tight against the pad at the corner. I usually do this very slowly with hood open and one hand on the center of the hood by the latch and another hand on the edge by the pad exerting measured force to alter the metal ever so slightly. This may eliminate some of the hood flutter on a properly adjusted latch. The second thing would be to check the hood runbber or foam spacers are still on the hood and still a good 1/4 inch or more in thickness. If the hood is in proper shape and the pads are proper width the hood and the cowl metal will line up perfectly with no rise or fall. If the latch is adjusted properly, hood lined up properly, hood pads are somewhat tight to the cowl so that a little push on the hood will click the latch... then all should be good.

[Weelan]

This is all great info. TX82FIAT I might ask you to come over and help me out since you've got the experience on it. My hood is maligned, the driver side is higher than the passenger...

[rlux4]

There isn't an adjustment for that condition. Don't know if you've seen Ventura Ace's car, but it's a trophy winner and he had to do a little creative metal work to get the hood even. He used a soccer ball and by putting it in the center and closing the hood on it, carefully bend the hood a little at a time on the high side until it's even with the other side.
A shot of Ace's car:

Ron