Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Hood catches rear

Hi
I have a concern about the bonnet style catches
At the mo the hood is not engaged and I decided to grease them, I have found that pulling the cheap handle visibly jiggles the cable but 90% of the time it won't move the sliding catches. The handle stops at about 30 degrees
When it very occasionally works as it should it seems smooth and the plates move fine.

Anyone experienced similar?

Try initially pushing down on back of hood (to momentarily ease force on at least one hood catch) whilst simultaneously operating release lever. It may be there's too much slack in release cable though. See image below of nearside release mechanism and it's adjustment noting this operates in series with offside one which also has similar adjuster. You can gain access to both through spare wheel well and by looking in and up.

I’m sure there was a recent thread about retro fitting over centre catches like Simmonds or Allon White do on their hoods.
It seems like a good idea for when the plastic handle finally gives up….🤦🏻‍♂️🤷🏼‍♂️

🇬🇧🇬🇧

https://www.talkmorgan.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/803043/1

Cheers, the hood is not attached at the moment, I don't want to lock it down until I find out why the catch is not moving
I am pretty sure it is the near side catch that is malfunctioning, it moves fine if I push the slider with a screw driver or similar
Somehow the cable appears to jam within the catch

Just an idea - not so simple as those above but avoids having clunky looking catches scratching your beautiful fitted luggage. Retain the MMC latches but operate them by either two door catch solenoids or one with a link cable. I have no experience of such a system, my MMC method was always reliable.

A couple of my TVR's had solenoid-operated boot releases. The trick was to make sure there was no binding in the mechanism, a solenoid can only develop so much power....

If the lever moves the offside catch but not nearside then it's likely the latters cable extension needs adjusting. As per my post above each have individual adjusting screws/locknuts noting offside being nearest release lever has to be done first.

Andy its all here in the previous posts b t here's the summary.

First check that the release lever is working correctly in that when pulled both latches are moving to an adequate release position and the action is smooth. This to be done without hood in the closed position. if not:

Adjust each bonnet style release until both clear the spring loaded hood elements and so in theory will release the hood.

Does the cable when actuated feel smooth if tight and/or is cable catching/jamming in tube with no load?

If this seems to be correct in operation then loosen the lock nuts on the hood spring plungers and wind out the conical locating points, 2 full turns should be fine.
Now close the hood and using the lever attempt a release using Richards press on the rear rail method as you actuate the lever. You should find the hood now releases easily, if so, it's just a matter of slowly tightening the conical locators up again, say a quarter turn at a time repeating the procedure and observing the compression to the hood seal and the evenness of this between hood and body. When you get a slight compression of the seal across the car body and even spacing you should find the hood release is now working. I have found so many cars that these bonnet style catches have tightened. I'm sure the lock nuts are not correctly tightened at the factory and constant slam shutting causes one or both to over tighten until they jam.. hopefully this will sort you out, if not then a deeper investigation is required usually resulting in a new cable and routing option or rear hood catches as Dave has described.