remote hood release
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
I agree it looks expertly done, but what's the purpose? Couldn't you just open the door or reach through the open window and pop the hood? Were you having problems with the factory hood catch and release system?
What happens when you try to take the hood off the car?
It looks good, what are the details on this project?
What happens when you try to take the hood off the car?
It looks good, what are the details on this project?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Actually that's a NASA type backup hood release in case the inside hood release cable breaks. That way he can still open the hood.
I recall a story about a guy at a Corvette show who pulled up and no sooner did something on or around his engine catch on fire. He saw the smoke, pulled the handle to pop the hood...and POP, the cable broke with the hood latched.
He had a fire extinguisher in hand ready to fight, but the hood was still latched. He had to wait and watch his chrome bumper plastic car burn.
Maybe had he been able to get the hood up and fight the fire, the damage would have been minimal instead of a total loss.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
That part of the car is hard to see even if you're looking for it. I doubt someone will randomly 'stumble' on it's existence let alone assume what it's for. I would be more worried about the rattling that metal ring might produce vibrating on that panel...more than I would someone getting under the hood.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 229
Likes: 28
From: San Diego, CA
work in progress
The metal ring is there as an after thought. I bought a choke kit from local parts store but it was too short. I could (should) have taken it back and exchanged it for one designed for a truck (9') but I found a longer piece laying around in my junk yard looking garage and used it instead....wasn't sure it would work anyway. First tried to attach to body mounted latch (where inside cable attaches) and run pull wires down into wheel well but couldn't get it to pull open hood. Even tried going thru the rubber gromet near the latch into the wiper well and reaching under lip of hood to pull it open but thad didn't work either. I'll probably replace at least the ring or entire cable now that I know it works, but if not, the only thing that will probably see it is my cat if he goes under there for a nap. If I caught someone down there looking around it wouldn't be my cat that attacked him.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
The metal ring is there as an after thought. I bought a choke kit from local parts store but it was too short. I could (should) have taken it back and exchanged it for one designed for a truck (9') but I found a longer piece laying around in my junk yard looking garage and used it instead....wasn't sure it would work anyway. First tried to attach to body mounted latch (where inside cable attaches) and run pull wires down into wheel well but couldn't get it to pull open hood. Even tried going thru the rubber gromet near the latch into the wiper well and reaching under lip of hood to pull it open but thad didn't work either. I'll probably replace at least the ring or entire cable now that I know it works, but if not, the only thing that will probably see it is my cat if he goes under there for a nap. If I caught someone down there looking around it wouldn't be my cat that attacked him.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
From: San Diego California
It looks like a good design- and one good alternative. Another choice would be to replace the hood release cable with a new one, if the current one looks original or weak. A replacement cable is cheap insurance and will probably last another 20-30 years with a little occasional lubrication of the latch mechanism. I had to do mine last week- and regret not anticipating this common C3 problem earlier.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 38
From: Space Coast Gator Territory
The metal ring is there as an after thought. I bought a choke kit from local parts store but it was too short. I could (should) have taken it back and exchanged it for one designed for a truck (9') but I found a longer piece laying around in my junk yard looking garage and used it instead....wasn't sure it would work anyway. First tried to attach to body mounted latch (where inside cable attaches) and run pull wires down into wheel well but couldn't get it to pull open hood. Even tried going thru the rubber gromet near the latch into the wiper well and reaching under lip of hood to pull it open but thad didn't work either. I'll probably replace at least the ring or entire cable now that I know it works, but if not, the only thing that will probably see it is my cat if he goes under there for a nap. If I caught someone down there looking around it wouldn't be my cat that attacked him.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
I really like the idea. I wouldn't mind setting one of those up myself.
On a side note, your last name isn't Burgundy is it San Diego Ron?
On a side note, your last name isn't Burgundy is it San Diego Ron?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Pearland Texas
Having just dealt with a broken hood release and experiencing lots of angst, misery, barked knuckles, and aggravation trying to get the hood open, I made almost exactly the same modification so the hood can be released in an emergency.
Scoff if you will, but its a great idea, and as far as stealing the car, in my opinion, no living person except a Corvette owner would ever look for a hidden hood release, and a "real" Corvette owner would not steal another man's car.
Er ah............... unless you live in Southern California.
LOL
Nice job man.
Skip in Houston
Scoff if you will, but its a great idea, and as far as stealing the car, in my opinion, no living person except a Corvette owner would ever look for a hidden hood release, and a "real" Corvette owner would not steal another man's car.
Er ah............... unless you live in Southern California.
LOL
Nice job man.
Skip in Houston