71 corvette hood release
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Okay, this is all assuming that the main pull cable has snapped or detached from the driver's side latch and that the cross cable connecting the two latches is still intact.
Jack the front of the car up enough for you to slide under just behind the driver's side wheel.
You'll want to remove the rocker cover and get it off of the car.
There is a splash shield plate mounted in that front corner, at the bottom, behind the wheel. There are I think three bolts on the fender well side and two on the side of the car behind where the rocker cover where.
Remove those bolts and take that plat out.
Get under the car, and reach straight up and feel for the driver's side hood latch. You'll feel a tab, and you will be able to move it towards the nose of the car. This will release that latch, and pull the cable connected to the other latch, releasing it too.
Here is a pic of the tab you have to move, courtesy or Rayluka.
Jack the front of the car up enough for you to slide under just behind the driver's side wheel.
You'll want to remove the rocker cover and get it off of the car.
There is a splash shield plate mounted in that front corner, at the bottom, behind the wheel. There are I think three bolts on the fender well side and two on the side of the car behind where the rocker cover where.
Remove those bolts and take that plat out.
Get under the car, and reach straight up and feel for the driver's side hood latch. You'll feel a tab, and you will be able to move it towards the nose of the car. This will release that latch, and pull the cable connected to the other latch, releasing it too.
Here is a pic of the tab you have to move, courtesy or Rayluka.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You will probably have to remove the rocker molding on the side of the car to reach all of the bolts for the splash shield. When the splash shield is removed, you can then remove the side grill. Reach up from the grill area and release the hood and then push the lever toward the front as shown in DB's post.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
Does the 71 not have the entry port hole (sealed with a rubber grommet) in the windshield wiper area, driver's side, in order to gain access to the hood latch mechanism with a long bladed screw driver as with the 73 model?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
It does, but from what I understand it's VERY difficult to actually get it unlatched using that method.
This way seems faster even though you have to remove two panels, five bolts, and jack up the car.
I remember the screw driver method working best on '77 and up C3s.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Tyler Texas
OK, but both of you are correct -you have to remove the lower rocker molding in order to gain access to all the splash shield bolts. On my 73 the access via the windshield wiper area is the quickest method. On a 73 you PUSH directly on the "X spot." On some of the later C3's you push sideways to release the mechanism.
Last edited by Patrick73; Dec 5, 2007 at 06:03 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
You'll want to remove the rocker cover and get it off of the car.
There is a splash shield plate mounted in that front corner, at the bottom, behind the wheel. There are I think three bolts on the fender well side and two on the side of the car behind where the rocker cover where.
Remove those bolts and take that plate out.
There is a splash shield plate mounted in that front corner, at the bottom, behind the wheel. There are I think three bolts on the fender well side and two on the side of the car behind where the rocker cover where.
Remove those bolts and take that plate out.
Who me? I said that too up in post #2.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
Note: This will only work if the inner cable is still attached at both ends, but the outer cable sheath has become loose from its anchoring clip at the latch.
Look up under the front of the car and find where the hood release cable is. It will enter the left side channel of the hood near the hinge.
Grab the cable sheath and pull gently with enough force to determine if the sheath is secured.....
It should NOT pull out if it is attached correctly.
If you can feel it moving out and CAN feel it pull back under spring tension, you should be able to release the hood latch by just pulling the cable.
This will not help if the inner cable is detached though.
regards
Look up under the front of the car and find where the hood release cable is. It will enter the left side channel of the hood near the hinge.
Grab the cable sheath and pull gently with enough force to determine if the sheath is secured.....
It should NOT pull out if it is attached correctly.
If you can feel it moving out and CAN feel it pull back under spring tension, you should be able to release the hood latch by just pulling the cable.
This will not help if the inner cable is detached though.
regards
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,254
Likes: 5
From: Brown Summit North Carolina
I just had to deal with this
I have a 1971 car and the cable broke on the day of the last car show of the year. After I calmed down the fix was really easy.
Remove the side grill cover behind the front wheel. you can reach up with your hand and push the latch and open the driver side latch. If the cross cable has broke then remove the side grill on the passagner side. My car has no AC , you can not see the latch assy on the passagner side but you can reach up while sitting beside the car and feel for the latch.
If you have AC , I do not know if you can still get your had on it.
I had to go to parts house and get a screw driver , but it took 10 minutes to get hopd open.
One open replace all cabels while at it. Release and cross cable
David
Remove the side grill cover behind the front wheel. you can reach up with your hand and push the latch and open the driver side latch. If the cross cable has broke then remove the side grill on the passagner side. My car has no AC , you can not see the latch assy on the passagner side but you can reach up while sitting beside the car and feel for the latch.
If you have AC , I do not know if you can still get your had on it.
I had to go to parts house and get a screw driver , but it took 10 minutes to get hopd open.
One open replace all cabels while at it. Release and cross cable
David
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,023
Likes: 6
From: Austin Tx
I've read a hundred posts saying "it's easy!" "take the side grill off" - but not one of those posts even remotely tries to explain how to actually take the danm thing off!
I would bet that half the people posting, saying to take the side grill off, actually know how to take it off (with the hood closed!).
I would bet that half the people posting, saying to take the side grill off, actually know how to take it off (with the hood closed!).
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
73 Vette Driver side hood latch
I just spent the day trying to open my latch. I have a broken cable too. after reading through all the forums on this subject and 5 hrs later I found the right forum and right technique. hopefully my post will save the next Vette owner the frustration.
Thank you Patrick73 for your post. Your post did the trick. I used a screwdriver with a 6inch blade. get one with a very skinny and short handle. the space between the hood and the windshield is very small.
stick the blade in the hole and keep it straight and leveled. When the screwdriver blade hits the handle on the latch that you have to push, you will have about an inch left on the blade of the screwdriver to work with. this is how you will know you are on the correct spot. It will take a bit of feeling around but you will find it. all you have to do now is push straight ahead and the latch will release.
Thank you Patrick73 for your post. Your post did the trick. I used a screwdriver with a 6inch blade. get one with a very skinny and short handle. the space between the hood and the windshield is very small.
stick the blade in the hole and keep it straight and leveled. When the screwdriver blade hits the handle on the latch that you have to push, you will have about an inch left on the blade of the screwdriver to work with. this is how you will know you are on the correct spot. It will take a bit of feeling around but you will find it. all you have to do now is push straight ahead and the latch will release.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 443
Likes: 0
From: Rexton New Brunswick
I have been trying for two days now to unlatch the hood on my 76. I cant figure for the life of me how to access the hole to push the pin on the driver's side. I was able to access the hole on the passenger side. My trouble is that I cant push a screwdriver in straight without removing the windshield. A shorter screwdriver wont reach. Thinking that if I can move the cable tab sideways I can open it. No luck.
I have no removable side grill...
Suggestions?
I have no removable side grill...
Suggestions?
