Tool to install spring loaded hood hold down 1912 T

[49willard]

I do not know what others do or have done to install the the original hold downs for the hood. I should have done it while the engine was out but I am new to the T community. Below is a tool I made that holds the spring in compression such that the installation can be accomplished readily with just 2 hands. My 12 T has the later hogshead with the starter and I was able to install the one alongside the starter as well easily. After installing the cotter pin yank out the tool. Note that I just taped the lower washer (blue tape) to the lowest surface of the tool such that the tape is torn loose when you yank the tool out. Obviously the pictures show it with the pin installed. After holding the tool with the spring and bottom washer in the tool under the hood former positioned under the hole you insert the bronze piece. I used a small clamp to hold the tool up under the frame upper flange and installed the cotter from under the car, It was very easy with the tool! I can't seem to delete the duplicated 2 photos.

large lower washer to the bottom of the tool such that when

[Allan]

The springs available from the vendors are waaay to strong' I buy lighter replacements from a hardware store and these are easy to fit.
If everything is in order, the wood blocks,the hood hooks and springs with their correct small diameter washers and neatly fitted split pins, can all be assembled in the hood shelves before they are fitted to the car. Then the assembly is fitted to the car with the bolts that hold the shelves in place. The springs pass through the large holes in the frame rail.

Allan from down under.

[Erik Johnson]

On my roadster, I also replaced the original factory springs with lighter springs.

[DanTreace]

Bill

Nice tool for that compression of the latch spring on brass T’s.

Here’s my trick, lace a plastic wire tie and compress, slip latch shaft down into the wood shelf and that small frame hole annd then into the compressed spring.





Use micro forceps and add washer and cotter.



Snip wire tie free and done.

[49willard]

Dan,
I like your approach.

[DanTreace]

Bill

As you, had to find a way to place that spring under.

Your clip is more pure mechanical approach and can see the ease of placing the latch with a starter hogshead on early T’s.

So figured a wire tie could work, as for the difficulty with the starter against the frame, had to reach deep with the forceps but finally got it placed after a few tries !

[speedytinc]

Pay attention to what Allen said about assembling the tie downs to the shelf before installing.
As per original Ford, the base spring retaining washer is just big enough to retain the spring. An AN washer(used under Allen bolt heads) is the correct size. (small OD) No grief if you use the correct parts.

[BE_ZERO_BE]

 
Here is an older thread about other ways to install the Hood Latch Hardware.
 
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=22598&p=200816#p200816