Hood Latch Spring

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
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79Temecula
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2023 10:08 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 124 Spider 2000

Hood Latch Spring

Post by 79Temecula »

Hi all,

I've been trying to find a replacement for the larger front spring on the hood latch. No vendors have it and I can't find the right spring at my local hardware shop. Can anyone measure theirs and send the dimensions?

Thanks!
Joe
18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Hood Latch Spring

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

The spring has about 14 coils, the wire diameter is 1.50mm, and the length from the wire centers of each end hook is about 37mm, unstretched. Meaning the total unstretched length is about 38mm.

Hope that helps. You could give Chris Obert at FiatPlus.com a call, as he has a lot of stuff not listed on the website. He's probably got one of these springs rattling around someplace.

-Bryan
79Temecula
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2023 10:08 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 124 Spider 2000

Re: Hood Latch Spring

Post by 79Temecula »

Thanks a lot, Bryan! I did check Fiatplus.com but didn't see the specific part. I'll give him a ring and see if he has anything. I'll also see if I can find something similar at another hardware store.
Joe
79Temecula
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2023 10:08 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 124 Spider 2000

Re: Hood Latch Spring

Post by 79Temecula »

Apparently he's all out. :(

If you can measure the width and length of the spring as well, that'd be great!
Joe
spider2081
Patron 2024
Patron 2024
Posts: 3015
Joined: Fri Jan 27, 2006 11:45 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider 2000
Location: Wallingford,CT

Re: Hood Latch Spring

Post by spider2081 »

I haven't checked, Did you post for a good used hood latch in the "Parts Wanted" section of this site?? The entire assembly might be easier to find that just the spring.
18Fiatsandcounting
Posts: 3798
Joined: Fri Mar 15, 2019 11:23 pm
Your car is a: 1969 and 1971 124 spiders
Location: San Francisco Bay Area

Re: Hood Latch Spring

Post by 18Fiatsandcounting »

79Temecula wrote:If you can measure the width and length of the spring as well, that'd be great!
The width is 12mm, and the unstretched length tip to tip is 38mm. When the spring is attached to the latch, the spring is "sprung" just a little bit, so the length at that point is 42mm or thereabouts.

-Bryan
79Temecula
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2023 10:08 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 124 Spider 2000

Re: Hood Latch Spring

Post by 79Temecula »

Thanks, Bryan! Really detailed measurements. Hopefully I'll find something close to it.
Joe
79Temecula
Posts: 14
Joined: Wed Apr 12, 2023 10:08 am
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat 124 Spider 2000

Re: Hood Latch Spring

Post by 79Temecula »

spider2081 wrote:I haven't checked, Did you post for a good used hood latch in the "Parts Wanted" section of this site?? The entire assembly might be easier to find that just the spring.
Good idea about the whole latch. I think you're right--probably will have better luck finding a whole replacement!
Joe
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