Thread: Trunk Latch Not Lining Up

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Newbie question:

I removed the upper part of my trunk latch mechanism (1978 Mustang II Fastback -- the top section is U-shaped, the latch is on the bottom), and, because I'm a moron, I didn't mark the old location. I have spent hours trying to get it to line up.

Is there some hot rod genius trick to this, or is it just trial and error until it engages?

As I recall besides the adjustment on the loop on the hatch lid, the lock mechanism on the body is also adjustable, and you may need to play with that.

I also have a little bit of news you likely won't want to hear. The II's are a uni-body car and have a very bad habit of the body twisting under hard acceleration. The hatchback cars have even been know to blow the back window out while dragracing. The worst cars for body flex were the T-Top cars and to help eliminate the flex on these Ford added engine compartment braces which I noticed in your before and after pictures of your engine compartment were missing. As the body keeps twisting your going to find the doors and the hatch will need constant adjustment.

If you haven't already, at a minimum you should replace or build a set of the engine compartment braces and add a set of sub-frame connectors. Ideally a 6 or 8 point cage could be built to virtually eliminate any body flex (it will also help the car hook up a lot better.

The II's are a uni-body car and have a very bad habit of the body twisting under hard acceleration.

I didn't even think about that. When I romp it, the body goes hard right and the engine goes (or appears to go) hard left; the tower o' carburetion rocks up nearly against the side of the hole I cut in the hood. Probably can't be good. Sure looks cool, though.

I'll play with the bottom latch mechanism, too.

So, the latch mechanism doe-see-doe is mostly trial and error, then?

"......So, the latch mechanism doe-see-doe is mostly trial and error, then?......"

YUP

As far as the engine twisting to the side it might also be a good idea to make a torque strap to limit the amount the engine torques to one side. It will help prevent broken motor mounts and make the car launch a little harder. Unfortunatly it will also increase the amount the body twists.