Latch Match

Before you can start installing any latch, the three-piece grille and support brackets will need to be assembled. The curved pieces that bolt to the sides of the grille are necessary to keep air flowing through the radiator—not around it. A Don’s Hot Rods hood latch will also improve air flow through the radiator.

The visible grille cover latch panel (right) and the inner-hood bracing are new steel parts. It’s a good idea to spray a coat of protective primer when you get these parts or you’ll be cleaning up some surface rust at a later date.

A square-tube T-shaped brace mounts in the hood behind the flat latch plate to give greater support to the latch pin and the steel latch.

To install the grille cover latch plate and bucket, a little modification to the center cross brace is necessary. Cut the tongue-shaped piece off of the cross brace so the latch bucket butts up against the cross brace.

Here’s the latch cover in place—three small holes (on each side) need to be drilled to attach it to the grille mounting rails. Mark and drill holes in the grille cross brace to attach the latch-bucket mounting bracket. Then run a wire or pull cable to the latch that will reach to the interior pull handle.

If you want a cleaner installation, you can weld the latch plate in place.

The inner hood bracing and nose cover can bolt directly to the hood flanges. First install the latch pins and secure them—we wrapped some tape around the latch to prevent scratching it. Some adjustment is achieved by raising or lowering the latch using the threads and a locknut behind the nose cover.

If the latch isn’t working to your satisfaction or if side-to-side adjustment is needed, some holes in the hood cover may need to be elongated for proper positioning. The inspection plate fits behind the hood cover, and should be bolted in place so it can be removed if necessary.

In this installation, a radiator cover was incorporated into the design of the Don’s Hot Rods hood-latch kit for a very clean and functional latch mechanism.

Opening and closing doors and hoods on any hot rod or custom should be accomplished with ease and without any compromise to safety. Original equipment is adequate in most cases, but modern technology can improve the operation and safety of these items. Don’s Hot Rods in Germantown, Ohio, builds some of the finest hot rods in the world—they have the awards to prove it. Their catalog of quality parts, designed and developed in-house, can add value to any hot rod buildup.

One popular item that Don’s Hot Rods offers is a hood latch kit for the ’40 Ford DeLuxe, standard, or pickup. These laser-cut and die-stamped steel parts are designed to be bolt-in kits, and with a little patience and perseverance, they are. Check out our photos of a hood-latch installation from Don’s Hot Rods.