hood latch

[Waipio Rim]

Every once in awhile I see a photo of a classic with the hood hanging partway open, and mine is in danger of joining that crowd.

The hood latches have a cam that locks behind a frame piece when you spin the latch with your thumb. The cam is held onto the latch by a screw, and on one of mine the threads inside the latch have stripped.

I would like to buy new latches if I can find them, rather than trying to cut new threads into the pot metal latch. I think that this is close:

http://www.amazon.com/Camco-44323-Th...thumb+operated

But I am pretty sure that the latch body is too short, and I am not where the coach is to measure. If anybody can point me to a source or give me the length of the latch body I would appreciate it.

[KB6YAF]

I just fixed my latches. This is how......
1. unscrew the latch from the barrel.
2. Pull the center out being careful not to loose the ball bearing and spring.
3. Drill out the center hole larger and slightly smaller in order to tap for a 1/4"
by 20 thread tap
4. Tap the center with the 1/4" X 20 thread. Clean it out and replace it back
inside the barrel with the ball bearing and spring.
5. Attach the flat latch part with a new stainless steel 1/4" X 20 screw at the proper
length for the newly tapped hole. Also, use either a stainless steel lock washer
or star washer to firmly lock everything in place.

I literally just finished mine, and it is working perfectly to keep the front panel up and secure. Oh, and yes, the 7/8" replacement part you listed is not long enough.

[dadstoy]

I need to do this to mine! Thanks!

Originally Posted by KB6YAF

I just fixed my latches. This is how......
1. unscrew the latch from the barrel.
2. Pull the center out being careful not to loose the ball bearing and spring.
3. Drill out the center hole larger and slightly smaller in order to tap for a 1/4"
by 20 thread tap
4. Tap the center with the 1/4" X 20 thread. Clean it out and replace it back
inside the barrel with the ball bearing and spring.
5. Attach the flat latch part with a new stainless steel 1/4" X 20 screw at the proper
length for the newly tapped hole. Also, use either a stainless steel lock washer
or star washer to firmly lock everything in place.

I literally just finished mine, and it is working perfectly to keep the front panel up and secure. Oh, and yes, the 7/8" replacement part you listed is not long enough.

[Waipio Rim]

Thank you KB6YAF, looks like I will be taking a tap with me next trip.