'64 Valiant Hood latch return spring

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jedindl

jedindl

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I seem to remember that there is supposed to be one. Can anyone provide a picture of one properly installed?
IMG_2875.jpg
 
You remembered right, and your lucky day since my 1964 Valiant was easily accessible (no junk on hood). The hood latch has a "torsion spring" around its pivot, as seen in the 2nd photo. Looks like a pretty generic spring, but might have to drill out the rivet-pivot. BTW, for those who studied mechanical engineering (or just thought about springs), a torsion spring actually bends the metal like a springboard, whereas a coil spring applies torsion to the coiled rod similar to the torsion-bars in our Mopars.

Valiant Hood Latch 1.jpg


Valiant Hood Latch 2.jpg
 
That spring is for the latch. I am talking about the spring for the lever that you move to open the hood. My "torsion spring" for the latch is there and working fine.

My mistake, thread should read "Hood Opening lever Return Spring".
 
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It feels like the primary latch has a spring inside, but the operator's level has no spring. It might even be the same PN as used for the trunk latch. That thin arm going aft has a small hole that looks like for a spring, but I don't see where one would go. If so, both our springs rusted away. Someone was "in there" since the aft side of the operator's lever in mine has a new washer and cotter pin.
 
BillGrissom said:
Someone was "in there" since the aft side of the operator's lever in mine has a new washer and cotter pin.
Click to expand...

Both of mine have the same cotter pin set up on the lever, including the picture in my first post.

I bet there is/was some sort of torsion spring to get the release lever to return. My memory is telling me I once had a Valiant where the lever did return. There is more to be found out......
 
BillGrissom said:
You remembered right, and your lucky day since my 1964 Valiant was easily accessible (no junk on hood). The hood latch has a "torsion spring" around its pivot, as seen in the 2nd photo. Looks like a pretty generic spring, but might have to drill out the rivet-pivot. BTW, for those who studied mechanical engineering (or just thought about springs), a torsion spring actually bends the metal like a springboard, whereas a coil spring applies torsion to the coiled rod similar to the torsion-bars in our Mopars.

View attachment 1715730619

View attachment 1715730620
Click to expand...
Weird follow up question
there is a hole in a separate piece between the primary and secondary latch in the billgrissom photo #1, I have never seen a spring attached to it but it looks like in the above photo their should be something attached as it has a hole? or just there..

Thanks
Ed
 
Hemioutlaw, Thanks, but the 64 Barracuda has the 65 Valiant/Barracuda hood release mechanism.
 
If you're talking about the bent rod that your fingers are too fat to access with the hood closed..............

Mine doesn't have a spring on it..........
 
That bent rod is the release lever. Yes, it is a snug squeeze to get fingers in there. And that is my question. I seem to remember one of my past '64 Valiants, that there was some sort of return spring or something.

Currently, I have to move the lever one way to unlatch the hood. And when I close the hood, I have to manually move the lever the other way so that it will fully latch before I drive.

Maybe my memory has failed me and there is no return spring.....
 
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Try lubing it.

Mine moves pretty freely all by itself. (gravity seems to put it back in place)
 
jedindl said:
Lol. @emsvitil Well it flops around quite freely now!
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There is supposed to be a return spring on the release latch. I have one on mine that rusted and broke over the winter. I have been checking online and also at a couple of lawnmower shops in the area for the spring. The guy at the mower shop said that they can match one up as many of the power tools use that same type of spring.
 
65 has this little coil spring on the pop lever. Iirc the "pop' is provided by the latch mechanisms internal springs not sure if this helps..
20210504_074200.jpg
20210504_074116.jpg
 
Same mechanism different "handle"? As is the 65 is extended out past the hood line. Still think the spring is internal to the latch itself.
 
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