Hood won't openwon't
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Hood won't openwon't
so I took my hood off my 75 to change radiator and fan shroud put my hood back on now it won't open passenger side will pop free driver side I went on you tube and saw a guy stick a peice of medal to push on the lever in there and that's what I did but it's still getting caught so I went and bought an endoscope to see what it's getting caught on and its seemed like nothing is getting caught anyone have this problem? Or have any advice I don't know what else to try
Racer
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 407
Likes: 12
From: Maywood NJ
I had the same problem once with my 69. The passenger side would not release . But after a couple of tries of closing and and opening it finally released . I had a feeling it was the hood cable. It has not got stuck since. Not much help to you as im sure u already tried that . But that was my experience...Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
Here's the problem you created. You put the hood back on with it out of adjustment, when you closed it, the male part, attached to the car, went up through the latch on the hood, but was so out of alignment that it is stuck on the upper edge of the latch hole instead of being centered. Even though the latch is operating, the male part is offset in the hole and wont come out. One thing to try is have someone pull the hood release handle while you try to pry the hood side to side or front to rear and try to get that male part to align with the latch opening and open.
Maybe loosening the hinge bolts from under the car can give enough wiggle room also.
Maybe loosening the hinge bolts from under the car can give enough wiggle room also.
Last edited by '75; Apr 2, 2017 at 10:50 AM.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 695
Likes: 55
From: Palm Desert California
HI;
Before you grind off the hinge bolts from underneath the front fender area try this it worked for me. Locate the hinge bolts where they come through under the fender, I used a needle nose vice grip to clamp on the end of the bolts, surprisingly they were easy to turn. After a few turns on each bolt the hood just popped open. Others on this forum have done the same thing and it worked. When you do get it open place a piece of masking tape over the female latch at the firewall and mark the end of the male pin on the hood latch with grease or paint and slowly lower the hood until the male pin touches the tape then raise the hood and see where the pin left its mark on the tape. The mark MUST be centered on the tape if not adjust the female latch and keep trying this method until the pin is centered then you can shut the hood. Hope this helps.
Before you grind off the hinge bolts from underneath the front fender area try this it worked for me. Locate the hinge bolts where they come through under the fender, I used a needle nose vice grip to clamp on the end of the bolts, surprisingly they were easy to turn. After a few turns on each bolt the hood just popped open. Others on this forum have done the same thing and it worked. When you do get it open place a piece of masking tape over the female latch at the firewall and mark the end of the male pin on the hood latch with grease or paint and slowly lower the hood until the male pin touches the tape then raise the hood and see where the pin left its mark on the tape. The mark MUST be centered on the tape if not adjust the female latch and keep trying this method until the pin is centered then you can shut the hood. Hope this helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 9,432
Likes: 124
The other thing to try is hold the pass side down so it can't/won't release before the driver side while someone is holding the release pulled, while yet a third person pushes side to side and pulls on the driver side to release it.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
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Well..we assume you'd had no issues b4 removing the hood/reinstalling it..Correct?
That indicates you didn't align the hood properly when reinstalling it..
How does the alignment of the hood look on both sides, front/rear?
read what '75 and TPFarm posted..jim
That indicates you didn't align the hood properly when reinstalling it..
How does the alignment of the hood look on both sides, front/rear?
read what '75 and TPFarm posted..jim
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
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From: Im not allowed to tell you
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this worked for me, but it was a 68 which is an easier frame to twist. Leave your hood unlatched and take it for a ride on a bumpy road or across railroad tracks that arent perpindicular to the road your on. The bumps can get your body twisting enough it might pop free. Luckily it worked for me. you could also try jacking the frame in front of the front tire enough to get it to twist alittle.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,216
Likes: 1,671
From: Long Island
The male is getting stuck under the latch on the hood.
The drivers side has the tab to open the passenger side. When the drivers side is open have someone hold the tab on the driver's side hood latch open and push on the hood to try to align the pin.
Sometimes you can pry in the gaps gently using rubber and a paint mix stick to shift the hood.
If you still have the scope try to see which way the hood is shifted.
To align the hood put a short piece of PVC pipe over the male and move it till the hood drops over the PVC.
The drivers side has the tab to open the passenger side. When the drivers side is open have someone hold the tab on the driver's side hood latch open and push on the hood to try to align the pin.
Sometimes you can pry in the gaps gently using rubber and a paint mix stick to shift the hood.
If you still have the scope try to see which way the hood is shifted.
To align the hood put a short piece of PVC pipe over the male and move it till the hood drops over the PVC.