New hood release cable install
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,017
Likes: 229
From: Bay City Michigan
New hood release cable install
Ordered a new hood release cable for my 81 and new cable in engine compartment. Figured it would be a good idea to get it replaced. Is it very difficult to snake it up through the dash/firewall...Tips?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Yep, the hardest part is fishing the new cable through the firewall grommet. It's right over the fuse box and next to impossible to see. It's a little easier if you remove the seat. Also remove the heat duct that goes under the steering column.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
Yes, if you can get the inner cable to snake around the curve in the outside casing. Remove and burrs or sharp edges on the end of the wire so it doesn't catch on the outer casing. The heat duct comes out easy. Pull it off the dash vent end then slide it over (towards the center of the car) and down. I think that's how I did it. Either way, not that hard.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,352
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
The hole in the firewall where the cable exits to the engine compartment can be made much bigger by removing the grommet. Once you get the cable installed, replacing the grommet is. easy. I'd recommend removing the seat.....it should be an easy four little bolts to remove.
(1) laying on your back, with the seat removed, have someone outside the car shine a powerful flashlight through the exit hole.....this should make it easy for you to see where to poke the new cable.
(2) from outside the car, have someone extend a thin wire through the firewall hole and attach it to the wire in the new cable.....an electrical tape wrap or use the brass little circular short tube and screw to connect the two wires.
(3) With just the seat and steering column removed, my smaller slender grandson, laying on his back, installed the cable in a snap.
(1) laying on your back, with the seat removed, have someone outside the car shine a powerful flashlight through the exit hole.....this should make it easy for you to see where to poke the new cable.
(2) from outside the car, have someone extend a thin wire through the firewall hole and attach it to the wire in the new cable.....an electrical tape wrap or use the brass little circular short tube and screw to connect the two wires.
(3) With just the seat and steering column removed, my smaller slender grandson, laying on his back, installed the cable in a snap.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
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From: Wauconda IL
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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I pulled the inner wire out , lubed uop the new one and snked it in very carefully . It worked well. Changing it is a good idea. Mine broke just as the hood released so it wasnt a complete dumpster fire. Mine was a 68 but it should snke through easily enough. Like Duke said, just deburr the end and lube it up
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