SAAC Forum

The Cars => 1966 Shelby GT350/GT350H => Topic started by: greekz on August 27, 2020, 02:03:37 PM

Title: Hood Latch
Post by: greekz on August 27, 2020, 02:03:37 PM
I believe the hood latch is a phosphate and oil finish.  Has anyone had theirs chemically finished?  If so, was the spring damaged from the process?  Looking to finish mine with the correct finish.

Thanks,

Greek
Title: Re: Hood Latch
Post by: CharlesTurner on August 27, 2020, 03:51:34 PM
I remove the springs, but it's ok to phosphate them also.  Temperature of phosphate solution should max out around 180F.
Title: Re: Hood Latch
Post by: J_Speegle on August 27, 2020, 04:42:10 PM
If you're going to have them done by a business I would remove them and let them know that you don't want high heat used on them. The process can cause embrittlement in springs. Just something to be mindful of. Hood hinges springs also

If doing them at home like allot of us do then you can control the heat as Charles wrote above
Title: Re: Hood Latch
Post by: greekz on August 27, 2020, 06:47:00 PM
Thanks for the tips. 

I have already removed the small springs.  Are they phosphate and oil?

Any tips on how to remove the large spring.
Title: Re: Hood Latch
Post by: CharlesTurner on August 28, 2020, 09:31:33 PM
To the best of my knowledge they were originally phosphate, like the hood hinge springs.  It was either that or natural darkened spring steel finish, which would look very similar to phosphate.

I prefer manganese phosphate over zinc phosphate.  Manganese matches closest to original fasteners and parts I've observed over the years.
Title: Re: Hood Latch
Post by: greekz on August 29, 2020, 12:10:28 PM
Quote from: CharlesTurner on August 28, 2020, 09:31:33 PM
To the best of my knowledge they were originally phosphate, like the hood hinge springs.  It was either that or natural darkened spring steel finish, which would look very similar to phosphate.

I prefer manganese phosphate over zinc phosphate.  Manganese matches closest to original fasteners and parts I've observed over the years.

Thank you.