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Hello, while restoring a 69 Vette I was adjusting a hood, there is no hood pin on right side, I started with the pin on the left side. I closed the hood, now it will not open. I tried to open by pulling hood cable from under car with a hook but it wont open. Car has A/C so I can not get to the bolts under the car....any suggestions????
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Re: 69 Hood Problem
A great lesson will be learned from this--NEVER close a hood until you're SURE it's adjusted properly!
If you loosened the latches at the firewall OR removed the hood from the hood hinges, it may be futile to pull on the release cables. Proper release depends on the hood catch being CENTERED in the latch to allow sufficient release clearance.
You should find a couple of 'emergency' holes in the cowl (remove the wiper door cowl to access) that have plugs in them. The plugs can be removed for limited access to the latches mounted to the bottom of the hood. You might get 'lucky' with a screw driver or other pry to wiggle/jiggle the latch and get them to release one at a time.
The other approaches are to go from below the engine and undo either the rear latches mounted to the hood or remove the hood from its hinges. Either of these approaches can be problematic due to engine bolt-on accessory positioning (A/C compressor, pwr brake booster, Etc.), but given enough time you CAN get there.
Once you have the hood open again, do NOT close it until you've got it properly aligned. A good trick is to wrap the latches with aluminum foil and slowly/carefully set the hood down to pick up impression(s) of where the hood catches are going to enter the latch. Make adjustment(s) as needed and repeat the process until you've got things centered.
THEN, fully torque the holding bolts at the adjustment locations and DOUBLE CHECK that you've maintained the proper alignment during final torque. Now, go ahead and close the hood... -
Re: 69 Hood Problem
Jeremy,
This should help you open your hood:
Good Luck!
Don Smith #28087Comment
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