Hood latch

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Jan 29, 2018 | 04:54 AM

lovemy1969

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 2

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Hood latch

Please help!

I have recently acquired a C3 68' model Stingray.
The hood latch was always a little jammed up however, the last time it closed it has jammed in well and truly! I can no longer open the latch, the cable has slipped and busted! The headers wont allow me decent access to the latch...... Any advice would be appreciated?

Thanks in advance
Sincerely
Frustrated

Jan 29, 2018 | 05:09 AM

DAC516

Advanced

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 63

Likes: 9

From: Memphis TN

Can you tell if it is latched on both sides? Which cable broke? The main cable or the slave (side-to-side) or both?

You might be able to go through the side grill or through cowl after you take off the wiper door.

Jan 29, 2018 | 07:54 AM

Alan 71

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 31,168

Likes: 4,244

From: Westminster Maryland

Hi l69,
Welcome !
First Post!!
BUT, not a good situation.

Here's from information that was issued as a Service Bulletin. Perhaps you'll find it helpful.

Can you get any sense if the latch levers have been moved, but the probe or probes aren't being released from the latches... or has the hood release cable failed to move the latches before you broke it?

Regards,
Alan

Jan 29, 2018 | 08:14 AM

lastcaveman

Racer

Joined: May 2017

Posts: 272

Likes: 7

From: Mindenmines Missouri

I found this helpful, its long.

Hood Stuck Shut - C3

Created on Tuesday, 16 November 2010 16:00 |

| Hits: 17150

(For both styles used - 1968 thru 1976 and 1977 thru 1982)

Submitted by Adam Smythe - Repair work by Ron Rail

If you are unfortunate as I was to have your hood stuck shut, then you will really appreciate this article. Typically when you pull on the hood release handle the hood is unlocked and pops up as per normal, unless of course the cable snaps and well nothing happens. In my case, this was even worse as the cable didn't snap and instead the lock release striker got jammed. Needless to say, the same situation resulted; a hood that will not open.

Don't panic, there is a fix and fortunately no need for any specialized tools. The hood locking mechanism is the same for 68-76 corvettes, however, the hood locking mechanism changed for the 77-82 model years. As such, there is a different approach required to open the hoods for the different model years. This article will take you through the process step by using a 1969 corvette as an example for the 68-76 model years. A separate step by step process will be presented for the 77-82 model years courtesy of Mid America Motorworks using a 1978 corvette as an example. In addition, several alternate approaches will also be presented just in case there are some model years that may have slight differences making one solution more desirable than the other.

This article is broken down into three main sections:

1) 1968 - 1976 Hood Locking Mechanism

2) 1968 - 1976 Alternate Procedures, and

3) 1977 - 1982 Hood Locking Mechanism

68-76 Hood locking mechanism pictures reference:

Picture G lists all the tools required

Pictures A1 - D2 provide an overview of the hood latch and hood lock mechanism and how it operates

Pictures E1 - E3 describe the technique used to unlock the hood (this can be done in under 30 seconds with some practice)

Pictures F1 - F2 describe an alternate approach to solving the problem

Special Notes:

For 68-69 model year corvettes, you can just poke the rebar or screw driver through the 2nd louver on the drivers side fender

For 70-72 model year corvettes, you must first remove the access plate on the drivers side fender first

For 73-76 model year corvettes ( Not sure if an access plate is available to remove on the drivers side fender)

If not, refer to alternative procedures or refer to advice in 77-82 hood locking mechanism pictures

1968 - 1976 Hood Locking Mechanism

Tools required for the repair.

Slot screw drivers with a 6 to 8 inch blade Maglite or other suitable light source

Rebar that is a minimum of 3ft long (taping is optional to protect your paint)

Slot screw driver with an 18 to 24 inch long blade (instead of rebar)

Overview of hood latch components and under hood connecting cable.

Close up of hood latch on drivers side (locked position).

Close up of hood latch on drivers side (unlocked position).

Push on tang in the direction shown to unlock the latch.

You should notice that by pushing on the tang that this unlocks the passenger side latch as well via the under hood release cable

Close up of hood latch on passenger side (locked position).

Close up of hood latch on passenger side (unlocked position). Push on the tang in the direction shown to unlock the latch.

You should notice that by pushing on the tang that this unlocks the drivers side latch as well via the under hood release cable

Close up of the hood lock pin assembly on drivers side including the release striker.

The release striker is operated by pulling the hood release handle in the car. The release striker can be moved independently as shown above. When the release striker is raised up it hits the tang on the hood latch and moves it forward to unlock the latch. The attached spring ensures that the release striker returns to the home position.

Use the 2nd louver when sliding the rebar through to access the release striker. Be very careful not to scratch the paint. You can optionally tape the rebar (I did this).

Be very careful when poking a metal object inside the engine compartment especially if the battery is connected.

Close up of the release striker indicating where the rebar or screw driver end should be placed. This is important when going through the side louver to access the release striker.

Close up of the release striker with the rebar correctly positioned. Push up on the release striker gently until the striker hits the tang. This will ensure that you are now positioned correctly. Push up on the release striker with more force now and this should move the tang forward enough to unlock your hood.

Looking up inside through the 2nd louver with the hood closed. Using a maglite you should be able to see the release striker and tang as shown. With the maglite and rebar you should be able to position correctly on the release striker (E3).

1968 - 1976 Alternate Procedures

The following alternate procedures will also work provided the under hood release cable is still working. If the under hood release cable is broken, it might only be possible to unlock the passenger side hood latch.

ALTERNATE PROCEDURE (1)

Release the latch on the passenger side by pulling on the underhood hood release cable.

From under the car you should be able to slide your arm in and reach the cable.

The WHITE tie wrap connected to the hood release cable indicates the area you are trying to get to.

This will take some practice, be patient and take your time.

It took me 4 tries before I was able to do this successfully.

Once the passenger side has been released, you can unlock the drivers side latch as follows:

Place a towel on the passenger side fender by the hood.

Lift the passenger side hood as far as it will go (you may need a friend for this).

Insert a screw driver under the side of the hood at 90 degrees about 8 inches from the top.

Push the tang as shown in picture C2 above (drivers side latch will unlock)

ALTERNATE PROCEDURE (2) – Part-1

There is an access plug on the inside of windshield wiper well (access plug on firewall)

The plug hole lines up directly with the tang on the passenger side hood latch.

If you can get a screw driver in, you will be able to push the tang to the side

The wipers will need to be parked to do this

If you are one of the lucky ones with a vacuum operated wiper cowl, this becomes even more difficult.

ALTERNATE PROCEDURE (2) – Part-2

This picture shows the position of the screw driver if pushed through the access plug hole. Push on tang in the direction shown to unlock the latch. Once the passenger latch is open follow the end steps listed in Alternate Procedure (1) for drivers si

Last edited by lastcaveman; Jan 29, 2018 at 08:23 AM.

Jan 31, 2018 | 03:36 AM

lovemy1969

Thread Starter

2nd Gear

Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 2

Likes: 0

Thank you all for the very helpful tips and info, I will endevour to try them and let you know the outcome!

Sincerely
Somewhat optimistic.

Feb 1, 2018 | 12:50 AM

ronarndt

Drifting

Joined: Jul 2015

Posts: 1,765

Likes: 253

From: Catlett VA

As a last resort you can remove the bolts that hold the hood hinges in place. Reach up from under the grill. You will need long arms to reach the bolts, but once they are removed you can move the hood around and the latches will release.

Feb 1, 2018 | 08:00 AM

GregX1

Instructor

Joined: Mar 2017

Posts: 134

Likes: 24

In my understanding, it was relatively easy as long as you can manage to have the wiper door open, simply with a screw-driver to push the lever on each side
But I have to admit I have not tried

Feb 5, 2018 | 02:23 PM

69_Shark

Burning Brakes

Joined: Aug 2004

Posts: 1,115

Likes: 412

From: Washington State

Happened to me once.
I just reached up the front and loosened the hinge bolts. The release popped and I was in business!

I have since marked my hood for easy realignment!
Scott