another hood stuck post
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Temple TX
another hood stuck post
I closed my hood on my 81 vette and now it wont open. I do not know what to do. I searched the archives and havent really found much. I tried to stick a wire hanger inbetween the hood and firewall with no luck. I cant wiggle it free. Does anyone know another tip? Would I be able to reach the bolts in the front and take it off that way? Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 3
From: RTP NC
I closed my hood on my 81 vette and now it wont open. I do not know what to do. I searched the archives and havent really found much. I tried to stick a wire hanger inbetween the hood and firewall with no luck. I cant wiggle it free. Does anyone know another tip? Would I be able to reach the bolts in the front and take it off that way? Thanks.
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...%20if%20stuck/
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Here's some pictures that I have that may help:
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...%20if%20stuck/
http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z...%20if%20stuck/
His is an '81, and the hood latches are totally different. Even the mounting locations are a lot wider on yours than on his.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 297
Likes: 1
From: El Dorado Hills California
Just opened my '74 yesterday. Rocker panel off, filler panel (think thats what its called) charcoal cannister removed then reached up and pulled the release with my hand. Tried all the "screwdriver through the hole" tricks that you will find on other posts. No luck with that. The hard way turned out to be less time and frustration.
Blain.
Blain.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Just opened my '74 yesterday. Rocker panel off, filler panel (think thats what its called) charcoal cannister removed then reached up and pulled the release with my hand. Tried all the "screwdriver through the hole" tricks that you will find on other posts. No luck with that. The hard way turned out to be less time and frustration.
Blain.
Blain.
The screw driver trick will only work for '77 and later hood latch style. For pre '77 systems, you have to reach them from under the car. If there is no A/C it's easy to reach up and release the passenger side. From the driver's side, as mentioned, you have to go up through the splash shield and past the vapor canister to get to the latch.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Temple TX
well. I tried the screw driver trick which looked like it would have worked if I knew what i was doing! :P So I am going to practice it alittle with the hood up.
I got it open though! I jacked my driver side up and was underneath it trying to reach from under my car and my buddy happened to pull on the cable one last time and it popped right open. We had just finished messing with it forever before we jacked it up and no budge. I guess from lifting the car, it shifted some weight and the hood gave way?
I got it open though! I jacked my driver side up and was underneath it trying to reach from under my car and my buddy happened to pull on the cable one last time and it popped right open. We had just finished messing with it forever before we jacked it up and no budge. I guess from lifting the car, it shifted some weight and the hood gave way?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Gumby86,
Now that it's open, hook a wire to your latches and let it hang down the firewall. (tuck it neatly away, test) Should it ever happen again you can reach under the front wheelwells and pull them to open.
Better safe than sorry.
Now that it's open, hook a wire to your latches and let it hang down the firewall. (tuck it neatly away, test) Should it ever happen again you can reach under the front wheelwells and pull them to open.
Better safe than sorry.
Melting Slicks
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From: Shreveport LA
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