Does anyone know if the 71-72 center latch supports for the hood are the same for the 70
442/Cutlass units? The one I have pictured is from a 71. Thanks for any info.

 

According to my part info, the hood latch supports are the same for 70-72 (406862)... the radiator supports are different - 70 vs 71/72...

 

1970 is unique.

 

Not according to GM Parts Book dated April 1983...

 

This is a good example of the risk in using a Parts Book that is far removed from the model year. The 1970 part was superceded by the 1971-72 part. Here's the applicable page from the Jan 1972 printing of the parts book. Note that the 1970 support has a different number here (404511). FYI, the first three digits of the part number can be a give-away here. Most parts released for the 1970 model year start with 403xxx or 404xxx. The 406xxx part numbers weren't released until later than the 1970 model year.

 

So Joe, if I am reading right, the 3 year units will interchange with each other, yes?
The superseded part #'s are just that, not that ANY of them have a stamped part #
on them anywhere anyway, correct?

 

I don't know offhand what the differences are. The superceded number would suggest that 406862 fits all three years, but 404511 apparently only fits 1970. This may be something like the core support top plate differences between 1971/72 or the 1971/72 front fenders vs. the 1970 fenders. I guess it depends on if you are looking for functionality or complete correctness.

 

I usually can tell them apart by looking at the square hole at the top. See the picture below.
The one on the left is 1970, and the one on the right is 71/71. Hopefully this will help you.

 

Perfect, thanks. It's easy to see why 71/72 fits 70 but not necessarily the other way around.

 

Sweet! Thanks for the pics Ali. Joe, as always thanks for the insight as well.
OK then, as long as all the holes are the same for grill mounting I should be
good to go as I have 2 71-72 units and not nary a 1 for 70. The project 70 442
was missing hers.

 

Your are correct Joe, it is a risk... But you work with what you have and in this case it served the purpose to determine that a 71/72 support can be used on a 70... If someone only used the information in the Jan 72 catalog, they would not have considered using the 71/72 support on their 70 vehicle when in fact it would serve the purpose for it's intended use provided, as you said, correctness was not an issue...

 

Here is a picture I took today showing the latch supports installed in the cars.
The secondary safety latches themselves are not mounted in the same location on the underside of the hood.
On the 70 hood, the safety latch is shifted toward the driver side whereas the 71/72 is shifted slightly toward the passenger side.

 

Thanks for the comparisons Ali. This really helps. I need to get with you on the OAI parts.