Re: 48-50 hood release levers

Posted by Fish'n Jim On 2022/5/24 11:31:13

I went down and looked at mine and they're still on the car and in good shape. They're down where the sun don't shine so survived degradation. They had some minor surface crazing. Without taking off the lever, I could not do a close high power exam but I'd go out on a limb and say they're bakelite and those would be made by compression molding direct to the metal stem.
An Xray would confirm attachment and ATR IR scan would nail the plastic. But I'm fresh out of those instruments at home.
The knob shaft end is slanted 45. I doubt it was made then pushed on, because that would cause distortion on the long thin section.
I guess if push came to shove and I had to make one, I'd turn plastic rod on a lathe to the correct dimension/profile then broach a slot for lever. Then epoxy it back together, but it won't look exact(seam), but would be functional and good enough cause who's going to scrutinize your hood knobs if they're on there? If you want to get fancy, you could make out of brass then have chromed or something; polished aluminum, etc.
One could pin it like a knife handle so it wouldn't come loose over time. Otherwise, you'd have to make a mold and cast it in some catalyzed thermoset resin.