xj6 bonnet latch help

[eschneider]

Finally getting around to working on the '79 XJ6L I bought this summer for $150.

PWDA valve failed. The $150 jag is now an $1150 jag after repairs to the garage door.

So, besides the brakes, the other big concern is the bonnet latch. There is the male latch in the engine compartment, and the female recepticle in the bonnet itself. The recepticle seems to have either been cut out or worn away. What's it supposed to look like? here's mine:

 

[LarryK]

There should be 2, one on each side? They should be the extended tapered bolts with a slot and nuts for adjustment. The receptacle in which it goes will slide around the tapered head of the bolt. Also, there will be a safety catch in drivers quarter of hood by w/s wiper.

Part # JA-12179 for missing part JA -HHB2440BA for safety catch Part #s from https://www.xks.com online sight. Put in #s and they should come up.

 

[eschneider]

Bingo! Thanks for the advice and the link - you nailed it.

Geez, I love this car more and more as I work on it.....

 

[LarryK]

You will have to have a captive nut welded into the bonnet to screw the catch pin in and adjust. Check threads so they match your part.

 

[eschneider]

You will have to have a captive nut welded into the bonnet to screw the catch pin in and adjust. Check threads so they match your part.

Yeah, after I understood what I was looking at, it was easy to figure out what was supposed to be where.

Turns out the captive nuts were the only thing missing - they tore out of the sheet metal of the underside of the bonnet. The spring loaded pin assy's were actually still in the latches -- when I pulled the hood release cable, they went -sproing- and shot across the driveway!!!! (found 'em, thanks)

So now I just need to attack it with a welder and some spare nuts (pun intended) I'm planning on having to reposition things a few dozen times in order to get the position and angle correct.....

 

[Exotexs]

also, you can modify the Bonnet locking latch so it will open forward in a larger radius before it locks, and not hit your head with the catch when working under it. Look at the pictures attached and the diagram.

Ex

 

[LarryK]

That'll be the first Jag that isn't a head banger!!! I remember working on my first XK140 and that d**n bonnet would always in the way. Then a 120 and up thru the XJ6s and V-12S. But, T-Birds and Vettes were the same.

 

[Exotexs]

I have scars in my head to prove the damage done by those catches.

Ex