CAR RESTORATION HOW TO

How to Adjust the Hood Lock on your Classic Car

When adjusting a hood lock, it is necessary to position the striker plate so that the striker enters the center of the hole in the plate. In most cases, it is hard to get an exact adjustment because the hood hides the hole when the striker enters it.

A daub of grease on tip of striker leaves a mark on masking centered over hole in striker plate

A daub of grease on tip of striker leaves a mark on masking tape centered over hole in striker plate.

An accurate adjustment can be made by centering a strip of masking tape over the hole in the striker plate. Place a daub of grease on the tip of the striker, and lower the hood slowly until the striker contacts the tape. A grease mark will be left on the tape at the point contacted by the striker. The striker plate can then be moved to get an exact adjustment.