JDBob62

Hope someone out there has some first hand experience with opening the hood on a 62. I knew the hood was not perfectly aligned but I made a bone headed mistake and dropped the hood. It latched tight. I mean TIGHT. I can only move the release handle about 1/8", certainly not enough to release the latches.

I have tried to have 2 people push down on the rear L & R corners of the hood while I pulled on the handle. Nothing.

Any suggestions, pictures would be greatly appreciated.

Bob

ohiovet

Get under the car on one side, reach up and trip the latch.
Do the same on the other side. Not easy but possible.
Or you might be able to snake a wire coat hanger up to the latch.
You might have to remove the splash pans for access, I don't remember...

yaww

I agree, but the hanger wire may not be strong; i would rather try with a rod to pull the rectangle latches down in each side.

Not Red Rob

I agree, only method on the '59 I had was to jack it up and physically trip the latches from under the car, not fun but doable.

JDBob62

Ohiovet: Can you take a picture of your latch and in paeticular the '...rectangle latch...' you mentioned? I have a good mental picture of the male part on the hood. But I do not have a mental picture of the underside of the female portion of the latch on the firewall.

DZVette

See pages 8&9 of the attached PDF. You are going to have to push the release levers back toward the fire wall somehow. The latches are are activated by the cables pulling the levers back to release the pins.
Hope this gives you some idea of what the latches look like and how they operate.
Dave Z

ohiovet

DZVETTE has it right, follow his advice.
I will also try and get a picture tomorrow.
Bruce B

ohiovet

Here are a few pictures as follows:
Left side hood latch, closed.
Right side hood latch closed.
Right side hood latch OPEN.
As you can see the motion to open the hood is to pull (or push) the latch arm back.
Hope this helps.

MOXIE62

As others have mention it's a snap to release from underneath. But the pans have to be removed.

plaidside

It is odd that neither latch will release.
Here is a picture of both latches.
Joe

MaineDoc

OK, as a psychologist I want you to relax and to take some deep breaths with your eyes closed. Fine. Now understand that it has happened to many of us and it is a relatively easy thing to fix. You will need to get under the car and remove the splash pans, taking out the 7/16 bolts. Using a bright (LED) light look up and visualize the underside of what others have shown in their pictures. You will need a very long pry bar, a stout dowel or similar tool to work the lever back enough to release the male part of the latch. Some trial and error will be involved but the hood will indeed be released and you can then relax once again. I will send you a bill later. Good luck. Doc

ohiovet

Bob,
Did you get the hood open?
Bruce B

jimgessner

A service rack is best. And a long, large 3 foot flat head screwdriver.

stratplus

Try parking on a very uneven surface, and pull on the hood release.

Randy G.

jasonsamara

When my 60 stuck closed I climbed under with a rubber hammer and pressed the handle against the back of the hood while a friend pulled up near a latch and we got it.

Another thing you might try is pushing the hood sideways while someone pulls the handle. Mine will stick every so often and just a nudge from the drivers side to the passengers side will release it.

I keep checking this thread every few hours to see if you got it and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

mcb55-210

A couple years ago, after installing the hood on my '62, I had the same issue. I was able to snake my arm up alongside the firewall and released the latches on both sides without removing anything. I recall it being extremely uncomfortable, but I managed to get it done.

Mike