under hood gizmo

[Jim100]

On the back underside of my 1966 hood there is something that looks like it interacts with something on the top of the firewall. Some kind of latch?
Its bugging me because it does not seem to do anything.
Thanks,
jim

[Wildergarten]

If it is what I think you are describing it is a an angle bracket with a deep notch that goes over a should bolt that protrudes from the cowling. It keeps the back of the hood from moving sideways when the body lurches one way or the other.

[Jim100]

Ah yes. That makes sense.
Thanks.

[earlymopar]

That is meant to retain the hood in an accident so that it doesn't pop up and penetrate the windshield.

- EM

[Wildergarten]

That is meant to retain the hood in an accident so that it doesn't pop up and penetrate the windshield.

Please explain. While that may be correct as to intent, given that the notch is open at the bottom, I don't see how it would do that.

Just curious.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

The purpose is to prevent side motion of the hood which would cause metal fatigue and wear/break the hood hinge attachment points and hinge pivot points. Has nothing to do with holding the hood shut, as indeed it wouldn't even do that! I recently had a hood hinge break on a parts truck and the hood popped up about 4" in the back. Certainly wasn't held down by that pin!

[earlymopar]

I haven't analyzed the Sweptline-specific feature and was commenting on the generic use of hood hook points for the reason I mentioned. The Sweptline feature mentioned may have been before that design trend / safety mechanism was required.

- EM

[Txas2step]

Yes, it's to keep the back of the hood from doing the "floss". Most of us old Farts don't know what that is, but I have grand kids. Google it .

[PwrWgnDrvr]

I haven't analyzed the Sweptline-specific feature and was commenting on the generic use of hood hook points for the reason I mentioned. The Sweptline feature mentioned may have been before that design trend / safety mechanism was required.
- EM

Swepts have the usual secondary latch on the hood.
The original question here is about the "gizmo" at the back of the hood at the cowl. That location would never keep a hood shut.

[earlymopar]

Agreed guys. I just went out and looked at the piece in question which is what you both stated and not what I was thinking of from Jim's original question. I looked and do not see the hood travel limiter or "Stop" that I was referring to so am not sure when those were made mandatory. Jim, my apology for commenting before I was clear on the piece in question.

- EM

[Jim100]

No its good. I never would have figured it out on my own. I've looked at it since I got the truck in 1989 and just now decided to figure it out!
Thanks everyone! Now I can relax.