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Topic: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hood??!

in Forum: C3 General Discussion

C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hood??!

Posted: 2/23/21 10:29am Message 1 of 11
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Canada
Joined: 10/6/2019
Posts: 4
Vette(s): '74 Coupe. new bumpers, 1969 style side exhaust, Ruby Red Pearl Metallic paint with ghost flames and eight coats of clear, new leather seats, carpet, center console, new trim parts, both the engine and Muncie 4 speed rebuilt.

- how do I open my hood??!!

and fix it....

advise, Thanks 




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Re: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hoo

Posted: 2/23/21 11:02am Message 2 of 11
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Cana, VA - USA
Joined: 7/3/2016
Posts: 372
Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box

Is the cable broken, or just won't release the hood?

 




   

Re: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hoo

Posted: 2/23/21 11:17am Message 3 of 11
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Canada
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Vette(s): '74 Coupe. new bumpers, 1969 style side exhaust, Ruby Red Pearl Metallic paint with ghost flames and eight coats of clear, new leather seats, carpet, center console, new trim parts, both the engine and Muncie 4 speed rebuilt.

Bill,

the cable pulls but won't release my hood! 

not sure if completely broken, loose or just little broken,

I figure I need my hood opened up to see...

correct?  or...




Re: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hoo

Posted: 2/23/21 5:05pm Message 4 of 11
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Cana, VA - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box

Unless you have the windshield wiper cover, you should be able to reach the latch through a hole just under the rear of the hood on the driver's side.  The latch lever can be hooked through this access, but it will be hard to see.  The access is a hole about 1 inch in diameter, and is covered by a grommet, which will need to be removed (push it through if you can't pull it out).  You will need to feel around with something like a coat hanger with a hook bent on one side to find the latch lever, which is about 3 inches in from the grommet hole -- it won't be easy. . .

On my '75 I tied a piece of cable to this lever and left the end out by the windshield so I can just pull this to unlatch the hood.

When I first got my Vette, the hood was misadjusted so bad the it would not release.  I finally drove it on our rough gravel road pulling on the hood release and finally, with the twisting of the body, the hood released.

Hope this helps.  Someone else on this forum will probably be able to give you better instructions on reaching the latch lever.



|UPDATED|2/23/2021 5:05:10 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



   

Re: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hoo

Posted: 2/23/21 7:34pm Message 5 of 11
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Grapevine, TX - USA
Joined: 8/26/2006
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Vette(s): 1972 LT-1 convertible with factory air. 2017 Black Rose Grand Sport convertible.

Did you internet search it and watch some of the youtube videos?

I thought you pushed a screw driver or similar through the hole to push on the lever that releases the latch.

Do you have an AIM to refer to?  It would show you the parts and how they are assembled.

Sorry, that's all I got.




   

Re: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hoo

Posted: 2/24/21 9:14am Message 6 of 11
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I have found if you pull the hood release in normal fashion, as you would to open the hood, then fully push the hood release back into place, it can release the hood.  The same seems to work if the hood will not close.  




Re: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hoo

Posted: 2/24/21 12:16pm Message 7 of 11
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Cana, VA - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box

What luck I have -- I have had no problems (lately) with my hood, but today the left side will not release.  Even using the cable I attached will not release it.  It must have shifted enough so the latch sticks.  I'll try later when I have a bit of patience again.




   

Re: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hoo

Posted: 2/24/21 6:30pm Message 8 of 11
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Cana, VA - USA
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Vette(s): 1975 Stingray 71 350 engine Flat top pistons Sniper fuel injection Hyperspark ignition Vintage Air air conditioning Borgeson power steering box
BillHanna said:

What luck I have -- I have had no problems (lately) with my hood, but today the left side will not release.  Even using the cable I attached will not release it.  It must have shifted enough so the latch sticks.  I'll try later when I have a bit of patience again.

I got the hood open with a bit of shaking and push/pulling on it.  It looks like the hood shifted a bit to the side so the latch would not clear the hole.


 




   

Re: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hoo

Posted: 3/9/21 4:20pm Message 9 of 11
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Canada
Joined: 10/6/2019
Posts: 4
Vette(s): '74 Coupe. new bumpers, 1969 style side exhaust, Ruby Red Pearl Metallic paint with ghost flames and eight coats of clear, new leather seats, carpet, center console, new trim parts, both the engine and Muncie 4 speed rebuilt.

Thanks for the hood tips, Fellow C3Lovers, I fixed it. 

Spring almost here in Toronto, for 'Shake, Rattle & Roarrr'



|UPDATED|3/9/2021 4:20:16 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|



Re: C3 '74 - the hood release cable not working, how do I open my hoo

Posted: 3/15/21 4:05pm Message 10 of 11
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Hillsborough, NJ - USA
Joined: 10/22/2004
Posts: 19
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary, red leather interior, 18500 miles, AM/FM/8-track player, L-48, auto, mirrored T-tops, alloy wheels, Goodyear GT Radial tires. 2015 Z06 convertible, 7spd manual, 9600 miles, 3LZ pkg, Torch Red.

One sweet looking car! Nice work.




 

 

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


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