'67 hood won't open

[David Z.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Leif,
Don't know if you've solved your problem yet or not. I offer a possible solution to the problem but I have not actually performed this on my car. It's theory at this point but what the heck it seems plausible. Using my 65 AC coupe as a "test bed" I found that a 3/4" dowel fits nicely up between the AC hard lines next to the box and there is ample room to move the top of the dowel forward and backward. As you can see in the attached PDF, I made a hook from a coat hanger and screwed it to the end of the dowel. If you can manage to get the hook onto the latch lever that holds the return spring, you can probably push the dowel forward to release the catch. Another possibility might be to put a block between the dowel and the firewall and pull back on the dowel to move the hook forward. The dowel I had on hand was 22.5" long. A longer piece would probably be easier to work with from under the car. Again, I have not successfully deployed this method but it seems as though it might have some potential in getting to that passenger-side latch.

Dave Z

Stuck Passenger Latch - Mid-year Corvette.pdf

[Leif A.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Leif,Don't know if you've solved your problem yet or not. I offer a possible solution to the problem but I have not actually performed this on my car. It's theory at this point but what the heck it seems plausible. Using my 65 AC coupe as a "test bed" I found that a 3/4" dowel fits nicely up between the AC hard lines next to the box and there is ample room to move the top of the dowel forward and backward. As you can see in the attached PDF, I made a hook from a coat hanger and screwed it to the end of the dowel. If you can manage to get the hook onto the latch lever that holds the return spring, you can probably push the dowel forward to release the catch. Another possibility might be to put a block between the dowel and the firewall and pull back on the dowel to move the hook forward. The dowel I had on hand was 22.5" long. A longer piece would probably be easier to work with from under the car. Again, I have not successfully deployed this method but it seems as though it might have some potential in getting to that passenger-side latch.Dave Z[ATTACH]53431[/ATTACH]

Good afternoon, DaveWOW!!! What an incredible explanation (Rich and Dave...did you see this??). Thank you so very much for taking so much time to not only explain but to actually make a "tool" that should do the job and the accompanying pictures...fantastic!! Again, thank you very much. I haven't had the opportunity to get her in the air yet, but when I do I will have already made a copy of your unique tool and be ready to make the attempt. I will report back when mission accomplished.P.S. You may want to patent this thing

[Vinnie P.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Leif,
Don't know if you've solved your problem yet or not. I offer a possible solution to the problem but I have not actually performed this on my car. It's theory at this point but what the heck it seems plausible. Using my 65 AC coupe as a "test bed" I found that a 3/4" dowel fits nicely up between the AC hard lines next to the box and there is ample room to move the top of the dowel forward and backward. As you can see in the attached PDF, I made a hook from a coat hanger and screwed it to the end of the dowel. If you can manage to get the hook onto the latch lever that holds the return spring, you can probably push the dowel forward to release the catch. Another possibility might be to put a block between the dowel and the firewall and pull back on the dowel to move the hook forward. The dowel I had on hand was 22.5" long. A longer piece would probably be easier to work with from under the car. Again, I have not successfully deployed this method but it seems as though it might have some potential in getting to that passenger-side latch.

Dave Z

[ATTACH]53431[/ATTACH]

Dave...would love to publish this in an upcoming issue of The Restorer so all 15,800 members can benefit and not just the few hundred that read this board...

Vinnie

[David Z.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Leif,
Excellent news for you.
I had trouble posting here a bit ago so I put the info up at CF. Here's a link to the post:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...post1587208416

I put up the modified PDF (attached here also) and if you click on the images you should get some low-res video of the tool being worked from under the car and the latched hood being popped using the tool from underneath.

I hope this works for you. It seemed toooooo easy this morning.
Dave Z

[Leif A.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Leif,Excellent news for you.I had trouble posting here a bit ago so I put the info up at CF. Here's a link to the post:http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c1-a...post1587208416I put up the modified PDF (attached here also) and if you click on the images you should get some low-res video of the tool being worked from under the car and the latched hood being popped using the tool from underneath.I hope this works for you. It seemed toooooo easy this morning.Dave Z

Absolute genius, Dave. Talk about going above and beyond the call. My many thanks, for not only the concept but for the "proof" (thank your wife for helping with the videos). I'm off to Home Depot to buy a 3/4" dowel and create my own copy of your tool so that I'll be ready for this weekend. Thank you from all of us here in C2 land. I just know this will come in handy many, many times in the future.

[David Z.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Thanks Vinnie! It worked nicely on my '65 AC car this morning. I'm hoping it works as well for Leif.
Be happy to take you up on your offer!
Dave Zuberer

[David Z.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Leif,
I hope it works as well for you as it did for us. I couldn't believe how easy it was. I just hope your car has the same passageway for the "tool" up through those hard lines..
Let me know how you make out this weekend.
Good luck!
Dave Z

[Leif A.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Leif,I hope it works as well for you as it did for us. I couldn't believe how easy it was. I just hope your car has the same passageway for the "tool" up through those hard lines..Let me know how you make out this weekend.Good luck!Dave Z

From one Texan to another Texan...a Texas sized Thanks. Check out the little gizmo I just made (per your explicit instructions and pics) I just know it's going to work.

[Leif A.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

I turned the "hook" around...

[Richard M.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Dave, that's a great doc!

I inspected a '66 A/C convertible yesterday looked at the area in detail since Leif's issue came up. That's a great tool idea to get it unhooked.

I agree with Vinnie, you should submit it for the Restorer, along with some others you've done. Great to get out in print to the rest of the group.

Rich

[David Z.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Leif,
I think that will work just as well. When I got the idea it just seemed natural to have the hook point downward. The proof will be in the puddin', as they say , when this thing works for you and others who might be in similar predicament.
DZ
P.S. Didn't realize you lived in Richardson.

[David Z.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Thanks Rich. I hope it works for Leif!
Are you back on the 56 PT now?
DZ

[Leif A.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Leif,I think that will work just as well. When I got the idea it just seemed natural to have the hook point downward. The proof will be in the puddin', as they say , when this thing works for you and others who might be in similar predicament.DZP.S. Didn't realize you lived in Richardson.

David,What I meant when I said "I turned the hook around" is that I took the picture with the hook on the wrong way according to your blueprint...I have since turned it 180 to match yours.Regards,Leif

[David Z.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Thanks Leif.
I sure hope it works well for you. I can't see why it won't unless for some reason you can't get the same access up between those upper and lower Suction Throttle Valve tubes from below as I did.
DZ

[Leif A.]

Re: '67 hood won't open

Just a quick follow-up. I, finally, had the opportunity today to get my car up in the air and attempt to open the hood using Dave's device and description. Wanted to let everyone know that it works as advertised. Once up in the air and splash shield removed, hood was open within a minute. Huge kudos to Dave.