Can't open hood
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands, Tx USA
Can't open hood
the hood on my '78 wont open the pasanger side latch seems to be stuck and I can't see how to release it. ANYONE with an idea as to what to do :confused:
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,411
Likes: 1
From: Okeechobee Florida
Re: Can't open hood (LonnieH)
here ya go!
good luck! http://www.madvet.com/shop?store=1&c...236&frame=3852
good luck! http://www.madvet.com/shop?store=1&c...236&frame=3852
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 8,918
Likes: 27
From: New Hill NC
Re: Can't open hood (LonnieH)
The cable housing is probably broken. If you look down in front of the windshield on that side, you should see a small plastic knockout plug. Behind that plug you will see the release mechanism.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
Likes: 0
From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Can't open hood (LonnieH)
LonnieH...
Having been through this just recently I can tell you it is extremely frustrating until you figure out which direction that latch mechanism on the hood goes. The *madvet* pictures are great for the driver's side and that's a piece of cake. Don't believe the passenger side photos as there is nothing to push down on like they show. I even tried the trick of pulling the tire on the passenger side and reaching through the A-arm opening to loosen the front of the hood. It takes awhile to do it blindly, but it is possible. It still did not help my case though as I had it solidly bottomed out. So... here's how I got mine loose.
1)Go down to your local hardware store(Lowe's, Home Depot) and buy a 1/4" steel/aluminum rod 4-6ft long. About $6.00.
2)Bend one end in a 90 degree about 1" long. This will be used as a hook to pull the latch. I also bent the other end about 6" in length to use as a handle.
3)Mark the rod about 39" from the small hooked end. That's about the distance that is needed to reach around the passenger side locking mechanism.
4)The next things I am going to suggest might seem extreme, but they work.
5)With the driver's side loose, pull up on the back of the hood on that side to create a small crevice that you can slide the rod across under the back of the hood. I propped a small cardboard box between the windshield and the hood to create the opening. Of course.... don't get to wild with it as fiberglass cracks.
6)Put some kind of cover on the top of your fender so you do not damage your paint. I used an old T-shirt.
7)I used a small flashlight to see where I was moving the rod and slid it underneath the hood right in front of the firewall(engine side) and went across about 39". Make sure you have the bent end facing the firewall.
8)Fish around a few times while and pull back and you'll unlock the passenger side.
It works... I've still got hood problems and have released it 3 times now.
Having been through this just recently I can tell you it is extremely frustrating until you figure out which direction that latch mechanism on the hood goes. The *madvet* pictures are great for the driver's side and that's a piece of cake. Don't believe the passenger side photos as there is nothing to push down on like they show. I even tried the trick of pulling the tire on the passenger side and reaching through the A-arm opening to loosen the front of the hood. It takes awhile to do it blindly, but it is possible. It still did not help my case though as I had it solidly bottomed out. So... here's how I got mine loose.
1)Go down to your local hardware store(Lowe's, Home Depot) and buy a 1/4" steel/aluminum rod 4-6ft long. About $6.00.
2)Bend one end in a 90 degree about 1" long. This will be used as a hook to pull the latch. I also bent the other end about 6" in length to use as a handle.
3)Mark the rod about 39" from the small hooked end. That's about the distance that is needed to reach around the passenger side locking mechanism.
4)The next things I am going to suggest might seem extreme, but they work.
5)With the driver's side loose, pull up on the back of the hood on that side to create a small crevice that you can slide the rod across under the back of the hood. I propped a small cardboard box between the windshield and the hood to create the opening. Of course.... don't get to wild with it as fiberglass cracks.
6)Put some kind of cover on the top of your fender so you do not damage your paint. I used an old T-shirt.
7)I used a small flashlight to see where I was moving the rod and slid it underneath the hood right in front of the firewall(engine side) and went across about 39". Make sure you have the bent end facing the firewall.
8)Fish around a few times while and pull back and you'll unlock the passenger side.
It works... I've still got hood problems and have released it 3 times now.
