Opening a stuck hood

[Arland D.]

I was recently asked about the best way to open a stuck hood on a C3 and I don't really have a good answer. Any proven techniques to pop open a stuck hood on a C3???

[Larry M.]

Re: Opening a stuck hood

Arland:

Which side .......or both?? For C2 cars a couple of guys developed techniques for both AC and non-AC cars. I believe they made it into the Restorer. Some of theseideas may apply. For the AC car. a special (but simple) tool was developed and used.

What year C3??

Larry

[Jack M.]

Re: Opening a stuck hood

I saw this TSB on eBay yesterday... here are some images, and I made a PDF for you to download.

Hope this helpz,
Jack











Hood Release 1968-1971 Corvette TSB.pdf

[Arland D.]

Re: Opening a stuck hood

Thanks for the feedback. It's an '80 and pulling the hood release produces no results. Poking out the plug and activating the lever seems like the most applicable method.

[E B.]

Re: Opening a stuck hood

Arland, if the cable not broken, try pushing down on each side of hood while pulling the release.......worth a try..Ed

[Arland D.]

Re: Opening a stuck hood

Thanks Ed - already tried opening with the 'push down the hood' approach but no cigar. Hard to say if the cable is broken or the brass retaining collar slipped down a little on the cable.

[Terry M.]

Re: Opening a stuck hood

Arland
I am not sure if this works up to 1980, but consider it:

To access driver's side remove the splash pan behind the front driver's wheel. With car in the air as much as possible insert a long screw driver or pry bar into opening and attempt to press on the hood latch toward the rear of the car. If the cable is connected from the driver's side to the passenger side this should open both hood latches.

Fortunately I haven't had the opportunity to try this, but I am told it does work.

[Jeffrey S.]

Re: Opening a stuck hood

Terry,
I can confirm that it does work. This winter the pull cable finally gave up and broke. That is exactly how I opened the hood on my 69.
Jeff

[Joe R.]

Re: Opening a stuck hood

A fellow named Gordon Killebrew once made a tool to open C-3 hoods. He might be reached thru the Corvette Museum help line.

JR

[Arland D.]

Re: Opening a stuck hood

Joe,

Thanks for the info. I believe Gordon's magical hood opening tool was for C4s assuming my gray cells are functioning correctly...…….