Hood Stuck
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello,
Link up to this website for photos and information.
http://www.madvet.com/shop?store=1&...=236&frame=3852
Pop Your Hood-Not Your Cork
Shown above are some pictures of the hood latches on a '78.
Nothing is more frustrating than pulling on the hood release of your 1968-82 Corvette and having the cable snap! We have observed this happening at nearly every show that we attend. Simple maintenance, such as lubricating and checking the cables for wear will reduce the chance of unexpected failure, but if the worst does occur, there is a simple solution.
Located in the windshield wiper well, just in front of the windshield, are two access ports covered by plastic plugs. These are positioned just behind the hood latches in the engine compartment. Take a few minutes to check the location of the ports and their positions relative to the hood latches. In an emergency, you can push a long screwdriver through these plugs on 1968-76 models and flip the hood latches forward enough to release them. On 1977-82 models, the hood latches may be tripped by prying the drivers side latch lever to the outside. This should release both sides, but if it only releases the driver's side, then repeat the procedure on the passenger's side access port.
A) Shown here is the drivers side hood latch. Insert a long screwdriver (approx. 12") through the grommet from the windshield side and insert the tip into the slot on the latch. Push in the direction of the arrows.
B) Here's a close-up of the drivers side latch with the screwdriver engaging the slot. If the crossover cable isn't broken, this should pop the hood.
C) If the crossover cable is broken, you will need to repeat the procedure on the passenger side. The passenger side latch works a bit differently. Insert the screwdriver to engage the tang shown on the right and lever it down (in the direction of the left-most arrow).
D) The screwdriver only has to be inserted an inch or so to engage the passenger side tang.
Take a few minutes now to check out these access ports and practice the procedure. Its much easier to do if you practice with the hood open and get a feel for the locations and distances to reach these latches. If your cables are old and looking frayed, replacement now would be strongly suggested.
By learning this simple technique, you just may "save the day" for yourself or a fellow Corvette owner.
Link up to this website for photos and information.
http://www.madvet.com/shop?store=1&...=236&frame=3852
Pop Your Hood-Not Your Cork
Shown above are some pictures of the hood latches on a '78.
Nothing is more frustrating than pulling on the hood release of your 1968-82 Corvette and having the cable snap! We have observed this happening at nearly every show that we attend. Simple maintenance, such as lubricating and checking the cables for wear will reduce the chance of unexpected failure, but if the worst does occur, there is a simple solution.
Located in the windshield wiper well, just in front of the windshield, are two access ports covered by plastic plugs. These are positioned just behind the hood latches in the engine compartment. Take a few minutes to check the location of the ports and their positions relative to the hood latches. In an emergency, you can push a long screwdriver through these plugs on 1968-76 models and flip the hood latches forward enough to release them. On 1977-82 models, the hood latches may be tripped by prying the drivers side latch lever to the outside. This should release both sides, but if it only releases the driver's side, then repeat the procedure on the passenger's side access port.
A) Shown here is the drivers side hood latch. Insert a long screwdriver (approx. 12") through the grommet from the windshield side and insert the tip into the slot on the latch. Push in the direction of the arrows.
B) Here's a close-up of the drivers side latch with the screwdriver engaging the slot. If the crossover cable isn't broken, this should pop the hood.
C) If the crossover cable is broken, you will need to repeat the procedure on the passenger side. The passenger side latch works a bit differently. Insert the screwdriver to engage the tang shown on the right and lever it down (in the direction of the left-most arrow).
D) The screwdriver only has to be inserted an inch or so to engage the passenger side tang.
Take a few minutes now to check out these access ports and practice the procedure. Its much easier to do if you practice with the hood open and get a feel for the locations and distances to reach these latches. If your cables are old and looking frayed, replacement now would be strongly suggested.
By learning this simple technique, you just may "save the day" for yourself or a fellow Corvette owner.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: Marion Ia
I tried to open mine through the hole. The directions did not help much. I had to do it from under the car. I removed the cover between the frame and body below the side vent. Then I was able to see the release and open it with a screw driver.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Leesburg Virginia
If it was like mine was today...
the plastic end of the cable on the drivers side is secured with a screw under tension. The cable end broke (probably due to age). The drivers side would pop, but not the passenger side.
With the driver side unlatched, I carefully lifted the edge of the hood and had a smaller pair of hands pull the cable.
The passenger side popped up and I resecured the cable with a metal tension poece, vice the stock plastic.
Works like a champ now.
With the driver side unlatched, I carefully lifted the edge of the hood and had a smaller pair of hands pull the cable.
The passenger side popped up and I resecured the cable with a metal tension poece, vice the stock plastic.
Works like a champ now.
