Hood latches

[slngsht]

I'm looking for a new set of latches... tell me what you prefer.

[gjslutz]

Some EXP. aircraft have piano hinge style hinge latches. All you do is pull the hinge wire out each side of the hood and lift the hood off. This set up can follow a flat contour. On my RV-4 the hinge pin has a hand ground point to follow the radius.

[JohnCh]

I have the Protex 27-1162/SC with the 613/7 SS locking pins. I like the fact that they have a locking latch and can take a pin as back up. Shipping a new bonnet from England is expensive!

 

 

http://www.protex.com/images/product/large/27-1162%252FSC.gifhttp://www.protex.com/images/product/large/613%252F7+SS.gif

 

-John

[MHKflyer52]

Hi Mazda,

Here is a photo of the setup I have which is an anchor nut with a knob with threaded shaft that gets screwed into and locks down tight in the anchor nut.

http://picasaweb.google.com/MHKflyer52/ALotus7Replica#5391171812627928434

Lots of good ideas out there so I know you’re going to get the best information available…...have fun.

[slngsht]

Some EXP. aircraft have piano hinge style hinge latches. All you do is pull the hinge wire out each side of the hood and lift the hood off. This set up can follow a flat contour. On my RV-4 the hinge pin has a hand ground point to follow the radius.

Gary, do you have a picture of these? or a link?

[gjslutz]

Slingsht, here are some photos. More can be found if you google: vans rv hinge.

 

http://www.vansaircraft.com/pdf/revisions/RV-12/29-02.pdf

http://www.dualrudder.com/rv7/category/finishing-kit/cowl/

http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?t=63166&sid=bef7c9f8e58fbefd8adbe3762992418a

 

You can find them for sale here:

 

http://www.vansaircraft.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?ident=1255367369-486-624&action=search

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/appages/aileronhinge.php

 

Another option

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/hapages/camloc2700.php

 

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/ha/fasteners.html

 

The cam locks should be installed every 3" if you go that way.

 

The piano hinge is not visible to the outside seam. You need to just pull the hinge pin that is made of stainless steel wire. Mine has a eye bent on the end that I unscrew an anchor screw to keep it from moving FWD to the prop. I then just pull it FWD with pliers. As you can see from the photos most use counter sunk rivets to fasten the piano hinge to the cowl. Some people pull the wires to the rear from inside the cabin.

 

enjoy

[andrew7]

These guys have what you need, Mazda

 

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/group.asp?GroupID=LATCH

 

I have toggle latches purchased from Ace and added safety clips to prevent accidental opening. My dad made his own Terry springs latches for his bi-fold hood, funny thing is, his name is Terry.

[solder_guy]

After LOG in Birmingham .. and seeing all the Cats with spring-loaded, stainless-steel, Terry Body latches in the front .. I bought a set off eBay for a reasonable price and installed in the front of the hood on my car. I still have the traditional tension latches in the back .. Of course I would have preferred the latches which can be secured with a cotter pin ..

 

UPDATE: I see the same "Terry Body Latches" on that Pegasus page ..

 

Rob

Edited October 12, 2009 by solder_guy

[powderbrake]

These guys have what you need, Mazda

 

http://www.pegasusautoracing.com/group.asp?GroupID=LATCH

 

 

These are the ones I use on my Ultralite ( 3045), I like the adjustable length feature

[eVox]

cheap.

 

 

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Trick-Styled-Latch,1582.html

 

 

countersunk install on my hood:

http://www.gatechlocost.com/wordpress/wp-content/gallery/1-9-09/IMAG0627.jpg

 

 

The one JohnCH posted is a really nice design that I might get if I had the funds.

[gjslutz]

The ones that came on my car are much like what Jerry has on his Ultralite (3045).

 

On mine it has an adjustable screw head, not a latch; sticking up to fit into a slot mounted on the top half. The slot has a dimple for the latch screw head to fit down into. There is a small locking nut on the bottom of the screw; I think it is a 4MM nut. There is a little lock button that you need to raise prior to unlocking the latch. The latch is small and works very well.

 

I have no idea where to get them as there is no marking on them. I didn’t build the car.

 

Gary

[11Budlite]

The ones that came on my car are much like what Jerry has on his Ultralite (3045).

 

On mine it has an adjustable screw head, not a latch; sticking up to fit into a slot mounted on the top half. The slot has a dimple for the latch screw head to fit down into. There is a small locking nut on the bottom of the screw; I think it is a 4MM nut. There is a little lock button that you need to raise prior to unlocking the latch. The latch is small and works very well.

 

I have no idea where to get them as there is no marking on them. I didn’t build the car.

 

Gary

 

 

I agree with Gary. Mine is the same design as his, it works very well, and is the stock latch that came on my Birkin. Maybe they are available from Dick Brink.