Another Build Thread - My '32

[J. Robinson]

Thanks. I agree and I decided to go ahead. I checked 3 different outlets for those things and they were all on back order. I'm not one who likes waiting on someone else, so forge ahead with what I have! With the hood in place and centered, I marked the tape where the center hinge goes. At the cowl end I drilled the lip and installed #10-24 nut-serts (see pic). At the front I just drilled holes and used nuts on the inside (no pic).

For the latch mechanisms I copied the ones I made for my Model-A. They've been in use for a little over 15 years with no issues. The pics below show the latch in closed position and an open hood close-up of the "stand-off" made from 1/8 x 3/4 flat steel.

With the hood on the '32 open on one side, I reached through with a ruler to determine the amount of stand-off needed. Then I did the same with the opposite side. Apparently I did something right when I installed the hood and the strut bars because both sides measured exactly the same! Using 1/8 x 3/4 flat stock again, I bent both ends at 90 degrees to achieve the 9/16 stand-off needed. Then I positioned one of the latches so I could mark the length; it turned out to be 2 inches from the first bend. After cutting, I used the vise and a pair of large channel lock pliers to curl the end slightly so it fit the curvature of the hood. Then I welded the tool box latches to the stand-offs. Although they look like brass, they are actually made of steel and they weld easily.