Hood wont open
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 140
From: Kanuckistan
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
If nothing works, there's still a way by removing the front wheel, and unbolting the hinges from the hole in the wheel well that's covered by the rubber flap.
It's tight but doable.
Once the front hinge are unbolted you can pry it open the hood from the front and get a good reach a the latches.
Don't ask me how I know
It's tight but doable.
Once the front hinge are unbolted you can pry it open the hood from the front and get a good reach a the latches.
Don't ask me how I know
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
ON my 78,IF you peer beneath the hood past the windshield cavity where the wipers reside, there is a 1" rubber plug that yiou can push thru into engine compartment and then access the release mech under the rear of the hood left side or right..aTakes a flat blade screwdriver bent at an angle to get the mech contact a stretched center cable or hood to interior cable push down to release.Easiest to do if you have examined under hood with hood open..check utube for a couple of good videos on this..jim
Works like a charm.....
Jebby
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
Please post if you find a good fix. My 68 convert had the passenger side pop open until I adjusted the "stop" that the hood part of the latch rests against to close about 1/8 inch smaller. Now the hood occasionally hangs up on one side (varies) and requires a second attempt to open.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
Thanks Jebby and Denpo, I'll let you guys know but it may be a couple more days, my Airborne days are reaching out and touching my back so I've been snacking on anti inflammatories and muscle relaxers 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
If nothing works, there's still a way by removing the front wheel, and unbolting the hinges from the hole in the wheel well that's covered by the rubber flap.
It's tight but doable.
Once the front hinge are unbolted you can pry it open the hood from the front and get a good reach a the latches.
Don't ask me how I know
It's tight but doable.
Once the front hinge are unbolted you can pry it open the hood from the front and get a good reach a the latches.
Don't ask me how I know
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
HEY, Call my son Joshua 520-822-7593 .He's USAF MSSGT living-stationed in San ANTONIO/Lackland.Currently MTI there.
he's an aircraft mech and motorcycle racer-builder and has seen my '78.Corvette..We've spent a few hours under the hood..
He would come by and assist you getting the hood open..HE's an excellent mechanic and smart-personable......
ACCESSING the release mechs via the two plugged holes in the engine compartment to wiper tray area is THE WAY the Chevy shop guys would open a stuck-damaged hood back when..IF you cann my son tell him his Dad in OREGON GAVE you the number...Once you get the hood open he can also help get the cross cables and mech properly adjusted-tensioned so THIS never happens again....Jim
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
Abthony...
HEY, Call my son Joshua 520-822-7593 .He's USAF MSSGT living-stationed in San ANTONIO/Lackland.Currently MTI there.
he's an aircraft mech and motorcycle racer-builder and has seen my '78.Corvette..We've spent a few hours under the hood..
He would come by and assist you getting the hood open..HE's an excellent mechanic and smart-personable......
ACCESSING the release mechs via the two plugged holes in the engine compartment to wiper tray area is THE WAY the Chevy shop guys would open a stuck-damaged hood back when..IF you cann my son tell him his Dad in OREGON GAVE you the number...Once you get the hood open he can also help get the cross cables and mech properly adjusted-tensioned so THIS never happens again....Jim
HEY, Call my son Joshua 520-822-7593 .He's USAF MSSGT living-stationed in San ANTONIO/Lackland.Currently MTI there.
he's an aircraft mech and motorcycle racer-builder and has seen my '78.Corvette..We've spent a few hours under the hood..
He would come by and assist you getting the hood open..HE's an excellent mechanic and smart-personable......
ACCESSING the release mechs via the two plugged holes in the engine compartment to wiper tray area is THE WAY the Chevy shop guys would open a stuck-damaged hood back when..IF you cann my son tell him his Dad in OREGON GAVE you the number...Once you get the hood open he can also help get the cross cables and mech properly adjusted-tensioned so THIS never happens again....Jim
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
stuck hood
I got to the front hinge bolts on my 68 reaching up thru the front grill. My arm was just barely long enough to get a wrench on the bolts. As soon as I loosened the last one and moved the hood slightly, the stuck latch snapped and released. This method works, but is a PIA and then you still have to get the hinge bolts back in and align the hood without scratching the paint. Another GM engineering mystery designed late at night after a couple six packs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
DO give him a call..He'll help get this small but tricky task done for you..He's a great Son..jim
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,988
Likes: 6,212
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
OK, first... no laughing. 
This is embarrassingly "Bubba," but when I was a 20 year old kid in 1977, I bought my first C3, a '68. The car was iffy in a number of ways, one being the hood would fail to open periodically on the driver's side. Being a dopey kid, I figured out that if I pulled up on the hood a bit and slid a strategically bent butter knife in the opening, towards the WS (LH), I could trip the latch every time.
I actually kept a homemade tool in the car for such occasions. I also found that layiing on the ground with a very long screwdriver I could do the same thing, but I needed proper light and not be on the side of the road.
Disclaimer... this works great if the car's paint isnt perfect, but if not you need to be careful... if you are aggravated and not careful, you can scrape the paint on the fender ledge. I offer this as a method that worked, thinking there might be an easier, cleaner, safer way to do it better.
Went out to my old tools pile and 40 years later, it's still there!
This is embarrassingly "Bubba," but when I was a 20 year old kid in 1977, I bought my first C3, a '68. The car was iffy in a number of ways, one being the hood would fail to open periodically on the driver's side. Being a dopey kid, I figured out that if I pulled up on the hood a bit and slid a strategically bent butter knife in the opening, towards the WS (LH), I could trip the latch every time.
I actually kept a homemade tool in the car for such occasions. I also found that layiing on the ground with a very long screwdriver I could do the same thing, but I needed proper light and not be on the side of the road.
Disclaimer... this works great if the car's paint isnt perfect, but if not you need to be careful... if you are aggravated and not careful, you can scrape the paint on the fender ledge. I offer this as a method that worked, thinking there might be an easier, cleaner, safer way to do it better.
Went out to my old tools pile and 40 years later, it's still there!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
I just got off the phone with Joshua, great young man He's going to come by my house this afternoon to see if we can get this darn thing opened. Thanks all and I'll let ya know how it turns out
He's going to come by my house this afternoon to see if we can get this darn thing opened. Thanks all and I'll let ya know how it turns out
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
All the best..De Opresso Liber! Sua Sponte..
And Attend to the cross cable tension..Mine was stretched after near 40 years and so I shortened it one inch..lubed all of course..Jim
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 3,487
Likes: 83
From: Titusville Florida
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
one last tidbit..Windshield wipers may be in the way to access the plug-hole ....you needn't remove the wiper arms..Just Start the wiper and turn ignition off When they are upright and out of the way..Jim