Since you appear to be able to machine stuff you may be able to make some new plates to fit between the bonnet (hood) and catch to allow the catch to move up some, may have to move the holes up 0.2"+ to miss the hood side fasteners which would have to be tapped in the plate. There's plenty of travel in the latch.
I do see a smash rivet on my new s/s latches, it may be possible to drill out, dissemble the latch and add some spacers to augment the spring, but think i just discarded my old latches, so i can't test.