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Topic: HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD !

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HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (1/25)
1/18/07 2:47pm

WRAITH
Former Member
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Franklin Square, NY - USA

Vette(s):
' 76 Customized .Mid year rear window ( ' 67 style ). It has an '80 nose,'80 rear bumper , and a 76 hood . Also , I squeezed in a ' 94 Vette LT1 . Paint is a custom mixed BLACK with RED PEARL mixed in !

Joined: 4/18/2004
Posts: 116

I'm not sure if the cable broke, or, if the cable slipped the bushing Angry . Either way, I can't use the hood release cable to open it Ouch . Any ideas how in heck I can get the hood open Dead ? Anyone ever go through this before and can offer help ? All suggestions are greatly appreciated Thumbs%20Up ! It's a ' 76 , btw !

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HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (2/25)
1/18/07 2:52pm

Chips58
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Australia

Vette(s):
71 Coupe Black on Black

Joined: 5/6/2004
Posts: 535

You're lucky you don't have a wiper door. You will have to fashion a slim jim type hook to hook the latch mechanism on each side through the wiper opening. Either that or you can attack it from under the car with a really long rod to flip the catch on both sides.

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (3/25)
1/18/07 2:59pm

tuxblacray

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Greensburg, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...

Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188

HHHMMMNNN... Don't look like my 76? (Kiddin, I like the mid year addition). If ya have small hands ya can reach under the cowl and get ahold of the cable ta give it a yank ta release the hood. If not take a coathanger (the hook end) straighten the loop end out so that ya can hang on to it. If this doesn't unlatch it then ya can go up from the bottom with a long screwdriver and try to trip the latch. The latter is definately a last resort.

Tuxblacray2007-01-18 15:01:34

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HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (4/25)
1/18/07 3:01pm

rick d
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williamston, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1969 coupe, 350, m22 trans, ac, black on black,

Joined: 1/19/2006
Posts: 353

take a coat hanger, prefferably ? strong metal and fab up a hook, so that you can reach under the hood from the wiper area and hook the hood latch,, after that go to eklers catalog and order the new cable,,you are lucky you dont have a wiper door,,,good luck, rd

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (5/25)
1/18/07 4:15pm

MAN ! NOTHING LIKE BREAKING INTO YOUR OWN CAR Censored

. IF IT WAS A HORSE, I'D SHOOT IT AND EAT THE STUPID THING !!!! THANKS GUYS Clap

, I'LL GIVE IT A SHOT Thumbs%20Up

...........

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (6/25)
1/18/07 5:24pm

OH6A

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Cadiz, KY - USA

Vette(s):
74 Convertible

Joined: 8/26/2002
Posts: 249

You may be able to reach up from the drivers side and loosen the portion of the latch that is attached to the body. It takes a 1/2" wrench as short as you have. Two nuts and you can have the left side off; then you can pull the hood up enough to reach the cable. Can't remember what year they moved the cable from the hood to the body. Good luck and don't cut a hole in the hood. I have seen that done and it was ugly.

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HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (7/25)
1/18/07 5:35pm

AM I CORRECT IN THINKING THE CABLE TO GRAB AND PULL IS THE CABLE RUNNING SIDE TO SIDE ON THE HOOD ITSELF ?

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (8/25)
1/19/07 4:20am

rick d
Former Member
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williamston, NC - USA

Vette(s):
1969 coupe, 350, m22 trans, ac, black on black,

Joined: 1/19/2006
Posts: 353

yes that will open the passenger side, then you can get the hood up enough to grab the latch on the drivers side,,good luck

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (9/25)
1/19/07 6:30am

manget1

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Indianapolis, IN - USA

Vette(s):
Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses. 2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible

Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2428

I can't remember what catalog I recently saw it in, but check Ecklers and Year One. They have a device that does what's being described above with the coat hanger. I'm not suggesting you buy one, but there's a picture in the catalog that shows how its used, and I'm thinking that would help you with the coat hanger idea!

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HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (10/25)
1/22/07 6:03am

fedexbicman76
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HARROD, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1976 - L-48 Auto, A/C, AM/FM, Power Windows, Tilt Telescopic Wheel, Factory Aluminum Wheels, Inferno Red Matalic Custom paint with Black Leather Interior.

Joined: 7/25/2003
Posts: 335

Bill, did you get your hood up yet! I have a late year 76 and I had this problem the first day I brought her home. It is frustrating for sure but, you can get it open with not a lot of trouble if you just know what to do. Before I go into typing all this let me know if you got it open. You can email me at vwhitehead@woh.rr.com and I will check back in a bit. Sorry, wasn't on-line earlier to see this one. Darn....

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (11/25)
1/22/07 3:06pm

Bill, I am going into the hospital tomorrow morning for surgery. I will check before I go to bed to see if you got this message. I hope you got this problem solved. I will check back in when I can. Probably will be Friday at the earliest.

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (12/25)
1/22/07 3:16pm

Ron 78

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BINGHAMTON, NY - USA

Vette(s):
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Joined: 7/19/2003
Posts: 3808

good luck on the surgery,Vince Thumbs%20Up

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HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (13/25)
1/22/07 4:36pm

Redwingvette

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Waterford, MI - USA

Vette(s):
1973 Red coupe

Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1748

Sorry I am so late for this post. If you didn't get it open yet this link should help: http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=3852

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Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans

Borgeson Steering box

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (14/25)
1/22/07 5:28pm

Thanks Ron for the well wishes on my surgery. I go in at 6:30 AM EST.

Brian, the image that comes up from madvet.com is for a 78 - 82 hood latch. The older style is what Brian needs. I have pictures of the hood latches on my 76 that I took and I have tool design that I made to aid in getting it open. Although a long screw driver will work in a pinch. The instructions on madvet are close to what Brian needs but, not on the money.

I will not be available for the rest of the week since I will be going into the hospital tomorrow for 3 days. Hope he gets it open. It's very frustrating when that happens for sure. Been there done that.

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (15/25)
1/22/07 8:44pm

[QUOTE=fedexbicman76]Bill, I am going into the hospital tomorrow morning for surgery. I will check before I go to bed to see if you got this message. I hope you got this problem solved. I will check back in when I can. Probably will be Friday at the earliest. [/QUOTE]

Hope all turns out ok with the surgery !!!

As for the hood , I tried a couple times, but no sucess , yet !

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (16/25)
1/23/07 9:02am

Autom8r
Former Member
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Old Hickory, TN - USA

Vette(s):
1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////

Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599

Will the driver's side unlatch??? If so you can pull up that side with one hand (or a buddy's hand) then snake your hand in and pull the cable, which will release the passenger side.

If it works, leave the hood up and call your local Chev dealer and buy a new cable from them. The aftermarket things from Ecklers, etc. are not worth a Chinese crap....

Voice of experience.

Dave

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (17/25)
1/23/07 3:29pm

So far , no go ! As for the trick of getting a screwdriver through those caps in the wiper compartment ? Fat chance ! You can't use a long one because it hits the windshield ! If you come in on an angle , you can't get to it either .

I tried the coat hanger trick, but, also no go . I haven't given up on that idea, just yet .

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (18/25)
1/23/07 5:16pm

Autom8r
Former Member
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Old Hickory, TN - USA

Vette(s):
1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////

Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599

Look out!!!!! you are just one step from the saber-saw option!!!!!

Dave

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (19/25)
1/23/07 5:42pm

tuxblacray

Okay Bill give me until Wednesday evening and I will fill ya in. I will break into Tux through the hood Wednesday when I get home.
I would go for it now but it is 29 outside an I just got home and settled in for da night.
I'll find ya the quickest way in for heart surgery. Unless of course ya really want me ta go now... (I can always be bribed) $$$$ inta my Paypal account has been known ta make me move a little quicker. (Kiddin)

Tuxblacray2007-01-23 17:43:24

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HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (20/25)
1/23/07 11:11pm

Okie Dude

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Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA

Vette(s):
1980 Black L48 T-Tops

Joined: 1/3/2006
Posts: 1560

Dave is dead on about the Chinese crap Angry

!

I had to break into the '80, replaced the cable with one from Mid America and 2 openings later, the tab that is supposed to hold the cable in place lets go with the hood down and it won't open again @(#*&$&%)($(*%$&#&@*!!!.

The cables from them are also WAAAAYYYY too long and have to be dipped down behind the distributor or they stick out so that every Tom, Dick and Jasper can open yer hood.

Go with the factory one if ya can. Otherwise, remember how ya got in and order two of the d a m n e d things.

Good Luck!!!!!!

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (21/25)
1/24/07 6:13am

Adams' Apple

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Duncanville, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas

Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20209

I think if you you jack it up, and get under it, you can get to the hood release. You have to remove the splash panel, and the vapor/charcoal cannister, but after that, you can reach up and get ahold of the release mechanism.

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HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (22/25)
1/24/07 7:00am

OH6A

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Cadiz, KY - USA

Vette(s):
74 Convertible

Joined: 8/26/2002
Posts: 249

Adam's Apple is right on. Use a half inch wrench and wera a long sleeve shirt; you will draw blood. this will loosen the bottom part of the hood latch from the body. Then from the top just pull the hood up and pull the cable.

Finally, when you put it back together, install an emergency cable that can be yanked from somewhere near the left splash panel. If you have the extra cable, the primary one will never break again but may forget where the emergency one is.

Good luck! Don't use a hole saw.

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HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (23/25)
1/24/07 1:22pm

steves74

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Klamath Falls, OR - USA

Vette(s):
74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles, all original; paint, interior, engine, split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

Joined: 2/1/2006
Posts: 1059

I just checked out my 74. If my hood ever got stuck and did not unlatch this is what I would try....

First knock out the plactic plug on the drivers side. Use a flashlight and you can see it, even with the hood down. It is 3/4 inch dia. Use a short screw driver or wooden dowl to knock it "in" and out. Use a coat hanger with a hook shaped like a "L" bent slightly back. It is about 6 inches from the 3/4" plug hole to the latch. With the hook pointed "up" towards the bottom of the hood, pull it towards you. This pulls the hood latch in the same direction as if everything was operating correctly.

Good Luck.......steve

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Steve, Lifetime Member #129

74 coupe 4 speed 350, 54K actual miles,
all original; paint, interior, engine,
split bumper. #'s match. 2nd owner, no stress cracks.

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (24/25)
1/24/07 3:05pm

I'll get it, eventually . Right now, it's a lil too cold to go messing with it . Also, it will be going into the shop for steering surgery, so, I might just let them take a crack at it ! I'm not using it much right now, so, I can wait a lil longer .

Too bad my signature isn't showing, or you could see the monster Confused

WRAITH2007-01-24 15:11:54

HELP ! CAN'T OPEN HOOD ! (25/25)
1/25/07 4:54pm

tuxblacray

Bill, sorry about yesterday (bad day / long day at the office) Anyway here is the lowdown:

The coathanger trick works but ya gotta make it hook on both ends. If ya hook the cable in the areas of the actual cowl rise on yer hood ya should have both sides of the cable in about equal distance. Give er a good pull E-V-E-N-L-Y.This way will spring both sides latches.

Another way mentioned previously is to punch out the plastic grommet in the cowl firewall. Take an object and push the trip latch forward on the hood. This is the latch that your cable striker usuall pushes forward. By doing this you are acheiving the same method the cable would do when you pull the handle under the dash.

You need to fashin something to push the trip latch. I used a piece of gas line hose 24" long and was able to 'git er done' but had to use alot of patience and finess. I would reccomend using something more like a 3/8" copper line or something in a small diameter but stout enough to do a reasonable amount of pushing.

I measured the hose and it is 15" from the latch to the hoods end. It is a dead straight shot to the trip latch. I would leave extra length on the rod to have a nice working area for yer hands.

I had trouble at 1st using the latter method becuse I have a wiper cowl cover from Mid America. Once I lifted the cover and had better access to the hole it wasn't too bad. But its still working in the blind and takes some patience.

Good Luck!!!

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