hood latch position

[280z4me2]

Shaving and patching my engine bay for a 350 swap. I don't have a engine yet so I need to know where to mount the hood latch. Anyone have any meassurments of how far the latch should be to the left or to the right?

[Miles]

It depends on which installation kit JTR or MSA or other kit you use as the engine height will have an influence on where you mount the hood latch bracket. If it is a JTR install the JTR book gives a measurement to position the bracket. For mine I installed the engine first and then measured off the distributor to position the bracket.

[GOTHALOSISM]

Also depends on what engine you use, 93-97 lt1's are optispark so no need to change brackets. 98-2000 ls1/lsx are Coil on plugs so no dizzy as well.

[Dan Juday]

... any meassurments of how far the latch should be to the left or to the right?

 

Don't move the latch. Pete P. did that, ask him.

 

Much simpler, easier, better to buy the JTR two piece latch bracket and install as described in the JTR manual.

 

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Parts_DAT200.html

 

DAT-107 & 108

[V-ocho-Z]

I didnt even put a hood latch back on it. I went out and got some hood pins and installed them.

[Dan Juday]

You can do that too if you like the look of hood pins. Nothing against pins, I'll be using a type of hood pin on my next hood. The JTR parts IMHO are cheap at $45. They are well engineered, quality constructed and time proven. They are easy to install and leave a nice clean stock appearance.

 

Moving the latch to either the left or right of the distributor however requires a lot of work relocating both the hood and body sections. In my mind that's just reinventing the wheel. Apply your engineering efforts to a more noble cause. This one's been solved.

[280z4me2]

I broke down and bought the JTR manual. My main concern was just getting the body work in the engine bay completed. Im still not sure if I am going with an LT1 or a Carb setup. I would like fuel injection but price is always a factor with me....