Help...Get my hood open
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,299
Likes: 0
From: Beltsville Maryland
Help...Get my hood open
I'm finally building a garage. I have a 69 Coupe that I had to more out of the way. I got it moved, but the hood release cable broke when I tried to open it. The car has been sitting for a number of year. I know MidAmerica sells a tool for the C4, but did not see one for the C3. Any ideas or tricks to open the hood, besides jacking the car up and trying to release the latch from underneath the car?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,053
Likes: 4
St. Jude Donor '03,'11
on my 75 there is a plastic plug that you can pull out and get access to the latch mechanism in the leftmost area of the wiper compartment. Take a big long screwdriver insert through this hole and push towards the front of the car when you get the tip on the metal tab that pushes on the cam.
Due to the wiper door assy on you car it actually might be easier on your car or harder i don't know. But force the wiper door open first to gain easier access.
Plan on taking your time don't get flustrated and you should be able to get it done in about an hour.
Due to the wiper door assy on you car it actually might be easier on your car or harder i don't know. But force the wiper door open first to gain easier access.
Plan on taking your time don't get flustrated and you should be able to get it done in about an hour.
Last edited by turtlevette; May 24, 2005 at 03:53 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Dyersburg TN
is the hood up any at all , or shut all the way down. i just had to do this on a 68 but the hood was about half way unlatched , so I was able to use a metal ruler and slid it under the hood , windshield towards headlight and push the tab about thumb size - pop goes the hood 
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,259
Likes: 7
From: Ontario
Originally Posted by C3 Stroker
Another way is to remove the front grille, then reach in and unbolt the front hinges; then lift the front of the hood to reach the cables.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: WAY SOUTH OF HEAVEN inebriated
DONT try digging from the bottom or ripping stuff up like the green horns said check this out! and obviously get a second or third opinion before going ahead with something in this neck of woods! i thanked bobs77vette for this one.http://www.madvet.com/shop?store=1&c...236&frame=3852 this couldnt get easyer
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 312
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From: Reynoldsburg Ohio
St. Jude Donor '05
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 228
Likes: 0
I had the same thing happen to me . Go thru the middle gill opening on the drivers side. Use a long metal cloths hanger with a hook bent on one end . You can use a flash light to see the release button hook it and pull down it will release the hood.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,025
Likes: 1
From: Billings MT
At least you just broke the cable. I had the cable stay forward and when the hood came down the latch landed on the backside of the striker and jammed it forward. (This took over a month to get open) There is in access hole as was mentioned and I would get a 2' section of 1/4" steel and bend it so you can get by the windshield and still have some leverage.
I found that two people work pretty good, you can look at it from the drivers side wheel well using a mirror and a flashlight....
Good Luck!
I found that two people work pretty good, you can look at it from the drivers side wheel well using a mirror and a flashlight....
Good Luck!