149 hood latches?
 

Greetings all. Longtime reader first time poster here.

I’m restoring my 149 and appear to be missing whatever is supposed to be on the inside of the hood where something to do with the catches should be. All I have is empty holes. I would appreciate someone posting some pictures of what I’m missing. Thanks!

There is supposed to be a flat piece about 2" tall that runs from one side of hood to the other that a spring lever (544190r1, 544191r1) left, right contacts to hold hood down. Flat piece is spot welded to inside of hood. Maybe holes you refer to are where spot welds were at ? Can't tell without pics.?

The holes aren’t round - definitely look like a ripped-out weld. Guess I’ll have to start hunting for a missing part…

Yes, that bar is spot welded to the hood. I think it about 1/8” thick by 1 1/2” wide. Pretty easy to make. If someone doesn’t have the location measurements soon, I’ll try to remember to measure mine next time I visit my 149.

Do you have the rear hood support that goes between gas tank and pedestal? If not hood will rest on fiberglass instrument panel cowl and wear it away .

Yes, that piece is there.

Measurements for the missing hood brace would be great so I can reproduce it and weld it in at the right place.

Do those spring latches just mount over those 2 lonely looking threaded studs on the sides of the tower?

Yes. That's where they reside.

The bar is flat stock, 1/8" thick.
It is 13 1/2" across with 1" tabs bent 90 degrees at each end.
It is welded in with the tabs facing forward, 3/4" in from the rear lip of the hood
and 1" up from the bottom lip of the hood.
The bar does not support the hood in any way, it keeps the hood's bottom lips from spreading and provides lockdown for the springs.
You can see the groove that the springs wear into the bar.

In the picture, the hood support is marked with a blue "X".
Red arrows are where the springs go.

Personally I don't use them. I put automotive door trim on the rear lip of the hood which keeps it snug and rattle free (green arrow).

Thanks to all for a ton of great information. I’m sure I’ll be able to get it fixed up right. I wonder how many owners do bother with the latches?

I have a dense foam bumper on the dash and trim bead on the hood. So far so good.