is there a trick to aligning the post on the front hood latch?

[Sofia74]

Reinstalling the front hood latch on our 1974 coupe. Having trouble aligning the sprung post with the hole. As it gets close, with the hood coming down, of course I can no longer see it to verify the alignment.

I want to get it as centered as possible as I'm worried about not being able to get it back open.

Hoping there is some trick or technique that is alluding me...

[Braukuche]

[Era Vulgaris]

You can judge to some degree how centered the trunk lid is without fully latching it. Just get it in the first latch position, where you can still re-open it. You'll be able to eyeball the alignment of the center ridge. If you're centered there in the first latch position, it should be centered when it's fully closed, or at least very close.
If your horn seal isn't installed yet, you can always reach back up through the horn hole and unlatch it manually. But also take Braukuche's advice and install a safety release for when all the seals are installed.
_________________
Currently own:
66 Karmann Ghia, L390 Gulf Blue, under construction, here: www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=760505&highlight=
99 Mazda MX-5 10AE, Sapphire Blue Mica, 6 speed, LSD

Previously owned:
98 Porsche Boxster, silver, 2.5L -- 67 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1500sp -- 98 BMW Z3, Atlanta Blue Metallic, 2.8L I6 -- 75 Porsche 914, Laguna Blue, 2270cc -- 72 Porsche 914, Signal Orange, 1.7 FI -- 74 Karmann Ghia, Black, 1600dp -- 74 Triumph TR6 with O.D., sapphire blue

[Sofia74]

Braukuche - great idea. I plan to do that.

In the meantime I did figure out a trick. I put a dab of white grease on the tip of the post and touched it to some blue tape stretched across the hole. Was able to see where it was striking off center and adjusted from there.

Closes and opens.

[Braukuche]