#$$* Hood latch- have plug out, now..?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Triangle Area NC
#$$* Hood latch- have plug out, now..?
I'm not able to get the hood open after "fixing" the hood latches. I've gotten the rubber access hold open on the drivers side.
If I do the "wrist watusi" I can get a screwdriver through the hole, but then what? Which direction is the latch I'm looking for, in relation to the access hole in the wiper valley/tray...up, down, left, right?
The first thing I do when I get t open, is to attach a secodnary "fail safe" latch cable....
If I do the "wrist watusi" I can get a screwdriver through the hole, but then what? Which direction is the latch I'm looking for, in relation to the access hole in the wiper valley/tray...up, down, left, right?
The first thing I do when I get t open, is to attach a secodnary "fail safe" latch cable....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,116
Likes: 5
From: Middleburg Florida
Once you get it opened, check out this fix as an alternative to buying a cheaply made replacement cable...
For $1.75, I went to Lowes and picked up two 1/4 inch rubber lined clamps. I put them on the cable where the plastic is and bolted them down.
For $1.75, I went to Lowes and picked up two 1/4 inch rubber lined clamps. I put them on the cable where the plastic is and bolted them down.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Triangle Area NC
Page two of this ... I can actually feel the hood release with the blade of the lonnngg screwdriver, but the one latched side of the hood won't budge.
Can the bolts that hold the hood latch plate be reached from underneath?
Barring that, what other options (short of a sawzall) would you suggest?
Frustrating doesn't begin to describe it! :-)
Can the bolts that hold the hood latch plate be reached from underneath?
Barring that, what other options (short of a sawzall) would you suggest?
Frustrating doesn't begin to describe it! :-)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Page two of this ... I can actually feel the hood release with the blade of the lonnngg screwdriver, but the one latched side of the hood won't budge.
Can the bolts that hold the hood latch plate be reached from underneath?
Barring that, what other options (short of a sawzall) would you suggest?
Frustrating doesn't begin to describe it! :-)
Can the bolts that hold the hood latch plate be reached from underneath?
Barring that, what other options (short of a sawzall) would you suggest?
Frustrating doesn't begin to describe it! :-)
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Lubbock TX
I once shut the hood without the latches being completely aligned and the releases were worthless.You can get some play in them by removing the hinge bolts. It's tedious and you have to realign the hood, but it's better than nothing. I can't remember the size wrench size (9/16" ?). Next time be sure and put duct tape over the latch holes and make sure they line up perfectly.
Sean
Sean
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Triangle Area NC
I'll see if I can get the front hinge bolts off and gain clearance that way.
I can push the release through the access hole, but that's not budging the one stuck latch....
Thanks for the tip
I can push the release through the access hole, but that's not budging the one stuck latch....
Thanks for the tip
Pro
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 543
Likes: 2
From: Miami FL
St. Jude Donor '11, '14
If you haven't, try beating down on the stuck side of the hood as you work the latch. Also if it was re-assembled "dry", spray some lithium white grease in there with a tube extension.
Rob
Rob
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,305
Likes: 2
From: Lewisburg WV
thegazman
Push down on the hood where the stuck latch is. This will remove pressure off of the latch and make it easier operate the latch. Sounds like you have the lactches too tight. I know this from experience.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Triangle Area NC
More time goes by and hood is still winning.
I think the latch plate is loose, which is preventing the cable (or the screwdriver that it pushed though the access from fully releasing the mechanism.
Soooo.
Let's assume for the moment that the screwdriver-thru-the-access-plug won't work.
* Is there any benefit to removint that small metal plate that's also in the vicinity, or is that not useful?
* Is it possible to actually reach up from below and fiddle with the thing from below?
(I got underneath, and it looks like I may need to be Plastic Man with extendo arms to reach that far, but...)
* Pulled the front wheel off and looked at getting in through the gap above the upper a-arm. Again, robo arms seem required.
The passenger side is open, but that seems of little help.
Hood pins are looking better and better
Ideas? What would you try next?
John
I think the latch plate is loose, which is preventing the cable (or the screwdriver that it pushed though the access from fully releasing the mechanism.
Soooo.
Let's assume for the moment that the screwdriver-thru-the-access-plug won't work.
* Is there any benefit to removint that small metal plate that's also in the vicinity, or is that not useful?
* Is it possible to actually reach up from below and fiddle with the thing from below?
(I got underneath, and it looks like I may need to be Plastic Man with extendo arms to reach that far, but...)
* Pulled the front wheel off and looked at getting in through the gap above the upper a-arm. Again, robo arms seem required.
The passenger side is open, but that seems of little help.
Hood pins are looking better and better
Ideas? What would you try next?
John
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 403
From: Nashville TN
St. Jude Donor '09
If you have one side released, you may have someone push the released side in a side-to-side motion while you push down on the latched side. I got mine unstuck this way once.
Also, as previously mentioned, once you get it to release (you will, just keep trying) cover the female latch with tape and align until the male side leaves an imprint in the middle. Since I learned that trick on CF, I have never stuck it again.
Also, as previously mentioned, once you get it to release (you will, just keep trying) cover the female latch with tape and align until the male side leaves an imprint in the middle. Since I learned that trick on CF, I have never stuck it again.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 7,427
Likes: 1,560
From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
#1
#1- Good advice, when mine got stuck it took a lot of side to side shaking and try pulling on the cross cable too, it might work.
When mine got stuck someone posted the above how to:, I don't think these instructions work on a 74.
#2 I just removed the pins after it got stuck the second time.
Someday when I'm feeling very Lucky I'll try centering as you described.
If you have one side released, you may have someone push the released side in a side-to-side motion while you push down on the latched side. I got mine unstuck this way once.
#2Also, as previously mentioned, once you get it to release (you will, just keep trying) cover the female latch with tape and align until the male side leaves an imprint in the middle. Since I learned that trick on CF, I have never stuck it again.
#2Also, as previously mentioned, once you get it to release (you will, just keep trying) cover the female latch with tape and align until the male side leaves an imprint in the middle. Since I learned that trick on CF, I have never stuck it again.
When mine got stuck someone posted the above how to:, I don't think these instructions work on a 74.
#2 I just removed the pins after it got stuck the second time.
Someday when I'm feeling very Lucky I'll try centering as you described.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Triangle Area NC
Try #3
I've crawled underneath and see no way of reaching the latch plate nuts OR the front hinge bolts from underneath with the hood closed.
There's no way to reach from below that I can see (this is a big block with hooker sidepipe headers)
No amount of shaking , pushing, prodding or swearing has resulted in anything.
I guess I'll go renew my swearing in a bit.
Does anyone know what is the purpose of the small 4"x3" metal plate that is adjacent the emergency hood release hole ? Is that worth investigating?
There's no way to reach from below that I can see (this is a big block with hooker sidepipe headers)
No amount of shaking , pushing, prodding or swearing has resulted in anything.
I guess I'll go renew my swearing in a bit.
Does anyone know what is the purpose of the small 4"x3" metal plate that is adjacent the emergency hood release hole ? Is that worth investigating?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Triangle Area NC
FINALLY, I got it....
With my wifes help holding the flashlight I was able to block UP the side of the hood just enough to see the 2 offending nuts that held the hood latch to the cowl. I was then able to use a pry bar to nudge the nuts enough to loosen then, then spin them slowly with a screwdriver tip until they fell off.
The latch assembly is now in labeled bags in my Corvette Parts box. The hood is an ill fitting aftermarket L88 high rise, and I may install hood pins to replace the latches .
Thanks for all the hints. I'm used to stuff going bad working on old cars, but I have to say that's a perfectly awful design.....
Thanks for your patience!
(By the way, I made an interesting hood release lever extension for one man operation...rope around the handle up though a carabiner latched to the shoulder harness attachment point, then forward so I could rattle the hood while pulling on the release lever.
Didn't work , but it solved the problem of how to wiggle the hood while pulling on the hood release lever inside the car when I was working solo.
With my wifes help holding the flashlight I was able to block UP the side of the hood just enough to see the 2 offending nuts that held the hood latch to the cowl. I was then able to use a pry bar to nudge the nuts enough to loosen then, then spin them slowly with a screwdriver tip until they fell off.
The latch assembly is now in labeled bags in my Corvette Parts box. The hood is an ill fitting aftermarket L88 high rise, and I may install hood pins to replace the latches .
Thanks for all the hints. I'm used to stuff going bad working on old cars, but I have to say that's a perfectly awful design.....
Thanks for your patience!
(By the way, I made an interesting hood release lever extension for one man operation...rope around the handle up though a carabiner latched to the shoulder harness attachment point, then forward so I could rattle the hood while pulling on the release lever.
Didn't work , but it solved the problem of how to wiggle the hood while pulling on the hood release lever inside the car when I was working solo.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
Because the hood opens backwards you can remove the pins altogether without risk of the hood opening while driving. Of course someone could pop the hood open while it's parked. I know someone who drove that way for more than 6 months
Jim
Jim
