Aluminum Hood Latch

[rsk68]

Hi Guys,
I'm testing the waters here for a new product, this would be a Cast Aluminum hood latch for the 67 through 81 camaro, it possibly would fit other cars but not sure yet, maybe someone could chime in on that. Latch would be cast from A356 Aluminum heat treated to a T6 condition, should be as strong or stronger then stock. Some of you know I manage a Aluminum foundry and I would just like to have some kind of Automotive product here, this would be a pretty simple one. So lets here what you have to say or if anyone would even be interested, I have attached a screen capture of the CAD model.

Thanks

[camcojb]

I like it Rick. As long as it can stand up to the forces, I think it'd sell as there's nothing on the market like that, and it's something that many people would like to dress up.

Jody

[Rick Dorion]

I'd buy one. Nice offering.

[ArisESQ]

i'd buy one for sure!

[rsk68]

anybody know what else it may fit? posibly the Novas?

[BThibodeaux]

I am a taker.

[Ummgawa]

Make it man! I'll take one.

[Stuart Adams]

Give it to me, I'll try it and let u know:unibrow: :unibrow:

[rsk68]

Well my Engineer tells me my Aluminum latch is roughly twice as strong as my steel one, below are his results, I myself dont understand what it really means other then I feel safe now.

I have a funny story about the chrome hoodlatch I purchased from IPD, last night while showing my car to some friends I started to explain about the hood latch, I reached up and grabed it by the spring and pin and it broke, what had happened is the jam nut on the back side was backed way off and the front nut being just spotwelded on broke loose,(I didnt install it) you couldnt believe how happy I was to see this happen and my friends didnt understand why I was laughing so much. sothe SLA master has come in today, I will start tooling in a few days and will have parts in about 2 weeks.

Carbon Steel .090 thick
Yield strength
5.5149e+007 N/m^2

A356 T6 Aluminum .187 thick
Yield strength
2.2059e+008 N/m^2

[rsk68]

Well guys I have done it now! I'm the proud owner of hood-latches.com, some of you may have seen it on pro-touring.com allready, check it out and if you have any questions let me know.

Thanks

[Jay Hilliard]

Count me in for one.

[rsk68]

Jay,

Very cool and thanks, just go to hood-latches.com, I can ship emediatly.

[rocketrod]

I plan on getting one soon. Do you plan on offering them with an anodized finish?

[rsk68]

Rod,

I know from experience that castings do not anodize well, that being said I will be trying to anodize a set to see, being they are brushed or polished it may come out ok, personally I like the fact that I can re polish or re brush with scotch bright to clean it up again.

[zbugger]

I'll have to sneak ordering one by the girlfriend in the next few days. I remember talking to you about them before. I think it was when we met at the Pleasanton Goodguys show you attended.

[MaxHarvard]

Looks good! :thumbsup:

[Jay Hilliard]

Hey Rick,

Let me know how the black anodizing works out, as I would rather have the anodized. If it doesnt work well, then I'll order the brushed one.

thx.

[rsk68]

I just picked up a latch from the anodizer that I had done in black, I have to say I like it the most, I need to get some better pictures of it though, these should be available next week.

[XcYZ]

That looks cool, Rick. I prefer the black, but I'm biased. :thumbsup:

[awr68]

I just picked up a latch from the anodizer that I had done in black, I have to say I like it the most, I need to get some better pictures of it though, these should be available next week.

That turned out AWESOME Rick! I can't wait to see it on Karma!! :cheers:

[Jay Hilliard]

Very nice Rick. I was hoping it would turn out well. Let me know when they come in.

thanks.

[mpozziCPL]

Rick gave me one of the prototypes/first runs of these latches for my '73 and it fits great. I also changed out the OEM pin with one of DSE's cool pin kits, cleaned up the spring, and then painted it black. After seeing the assembled product, I'll probably take the whole thing apart and repaint it silver to match better.

Make sure you measure the OEM pin height and then replicate that measurement when you assemble the new latch. Also, make sure the latch is centered to the coupler. I had to elongate the mounting holes a little bit to get Part A liking Part B. The last thing you want is a hood that is stuck closed ...

I reused the OEM mounting bolts and will probably replace them as well. Ugly, oxidized, "experienced," bolts don't look great with this cool part.

http://i133.photobucket.com/albums/q75/Awsum24/Camaro%20website%20photos/IMG_9299.jpg

Cheers,
Mary Pozzi

[rsk68]

So are there any more pictures of them installed, I'm looking for some pictures for a possible add.

[Bowtieracing]

Really nice item Rick!!!

What amazes me most is how fast you "just made it" for real:wow:

What else might be there with your skills ??? :cheers:

[rsk68]

Thanks for the compliment, my wheels are always turning, trying to come up with an idea that I could cast is not always easy but I'm working on some stuff.