68 vs. 69 Hood Latch

Road Ragin' · Jan 13, 2008

Does anybody know if the '68 and '69 hood release latches are interchangeable? I need a new one for my '69 Malibu and haven't been able to locate one. I've found new ones for '68 but the release handle is different. I'm not concerned with being correct for the year, I just need it to work correctly and be safe.

I also need a new latch that attaches to the hood. If anybody can point me in the right direction I appreciate it.

Thanks, Ron

bubba68ss · Jan 13, 2008

it should work, but i dont know if you can get to the handle with the 68 bumper

Road Ragin' · Jan 13, 2008

That's what I was wondering. The '69 handle drops down below the bumper and it looks like the '68 handle is near the top although I don't know where you would access it from.

BlueSS454 · Jan 13, 2008

They won't interchange. The 68 latch is designed to release between the header panel and grille, an area that is unaccessable on a 69. The 69 hood latch release will not fit the contour of the 68 bumper.

Tom's 68 · Jan 13, 2008

the 68 latch is configured a little differently than the 69 where it actually latches the hood. 68 will work on a 69, but the 69 will not work on the 68 without modification.

Road Ragin' · Jan 13, 2008

I was afraid of that. Well, does anybody know where I can get a new one? I'm afraid the one I have may be worn out so I was looking to replace it with one that is unused.

CHITOWNHUSTLER · Jan 13, 2008

I went thru 4 web sites where I buy parts and they all make every year BUT 1969,
hope someone can help you out.

BlueSS454 · Jan 13, 2008

Check the classifeds and ebay. There are usually a few on there.

CHITOWNHUSTLER · Jan 13, 2008

Found a place but I know nothing about them, but they have a 69 hood latch.
Chicago Muscle Car Parts 847-526-2200

Dean · Jan 13, 2008

Might try a want ad here http://www.chevelles.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=23

Or give john Watts a call <allyears>
Let me look up his number.
BRB

Dean · Jan 13, 2008

John's, Muscle Cars & Classic Auto
3638 E Willow Rd
Wymore, NE 68466
402-674-3147

Road Ragin' · Jan 14, 2008

Thanks, everybody, for the info. I also need the catch that attaches to the hood. Does anybody know where I can find a good quality part?

Dean · Jan 14, 2008

Road Ragin' said:
Thanks, everybody, for the info. I also need the catch that attaches to the hood. Does anybody know where I can find a good quality part?

I already answered that above

djw · Jan 14, 2008

Dean said:
I already answered that above

Sometimes....even Dean makes an invisible post.

Thought I was the only one that did that.

vrooom3440 · Jan 14, 2008

Who knows what PO's have done...

But my '68 had a '69 hood latch on it when I got it. Then the core support I picked up as a replacement seemed to still have it's '68 hood latch on it :thumbsup: So now my car has a '68 latch. Both worked fine.

So that shows that they bolt up pretty much the same and that the long lever on the '69 can be accessed through the bumper on a '68. Now the grill is one of the major differences between the two. So does a '69 have an access hole at the peak to operate the '68 latch?

I might still have the '69 latch laying around the garage... pm me if interested.

Road Ragin' · Jan 16, 2008

Thanks, Dean. I called John and I have one on its way.

It seems that nobody manufactures the upper of lower for 69's.

Chris R · Aug 29, 2011

I still need the upper too but my 69 is a long term project so I havent really tried all that hard to find one yet.

68 vs. 69 Hood Latch

Road Ragin'

bubba68ss

Road Ragin'

BlueSS454

Tom's 68

Road Ragin'

CHITOWNHUSTLER

BlueSS454

CHITOWNHUSTLER

Dean

Dean

Road Ragin'

Dean

djw

vrooom3440

Road Ragin'

Chris R

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