84 Hood Won't Open

[Thomas F.]

Help! Had to have my 84 Corvette towed home the other day because I could not open my hood to reconnect my battery. The emergency aftermarket cables I had installed earlier were of no use either. No matter how hard I pulled on the release cable nothing happened. I ordered the special tool to pop the hood if the cable breaks but it is like threading a needle in the dark. I am still trying to make this tool work. Instructions are not real clear and instructions even suggest cutting 1/4 inch off the tip of the tool if necessary, but I don't know if it is necessary.

What is the last resort to open this hood without cutting it apart? I am ready to start taking the car apart if necessary. I am really frustrated and need some good advice right away.

Thanks to anyone with a solution.

[Joe R.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

Gordon Killibrew makes a tool to open the hood when you just have to. Then you can fix the cables.

JR

[Thomas F.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

Thanks Joe that is the tool I was referring to. I am still trying to open my hood with it. It is so hard to locate the tool in the correct position when you cannot see what you are doing. My hood is closed so tight there is no up and down movement at all. I don't know what is going on. I have new cables and new emergency release cables installed and both have broken while I have pulled on them. The cables themselves have not broken but the plastic pieces where they attach near the latch have broken under the stress. Wish me luck and thanks for the reply.

[David H.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

Tom,

Did you purchase the tool directly from Gordon Killibrew? I think he sends instructions, not sure about other vendors.

In any case, if there is another C4 available you could "practice" on that one with the hood open as to tool placement and operation. Gordon has a web site and a tech advice service (costs) where you could get help. I have used his phone advice service several times over the years, always WELL worth the cost.

On his web site is "Gordon's School" - well worth attending if you have a C4 or LT5.

Dave

[Kenneth P.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

Not sure if this is the tool you got but here is a video I found.

https://youtu.be/6yjT3JeJ_z8

[Patrick N.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

Tom, had this happen to my 88 once before as well. the tool works but I was also able to open my hood by spraying some lubricant with the long red straw on the latch release mechanism while hood was closed. Insert the straw from the top corner where point of hood meets windshield. try to envision location of latch and spray around the areas. I used WD40 (not ideal I know, but wet enough to get in the area I needed)
If lucky, you can lubricate the release cable / latch mech and open. This is temporary fix, you will need to re lubricate the latch mechanism to ensure proper functioning. It worked for me, maybe you will have similar result, but again, the tool does work well.
Good luck

[John M.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

Tom, Once you get your hood open, and I'm sure you will, perhaps this suggestion might prevent future problems. I have been keeping the female ends of my 92 hood latches lubricated with white lithium grease for many years. I remember when I took delivery of the car, the factory had this grease on the latches. As of this writing, I have not had my hood latches freeze. Good luck.

[Richard P.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

This falls in the category of last resort but......on my '87 I got on the floor and tried to see if the latches could be reached from under the car. They couldn't so I removed the tire and the inner fender and opened the latch by hand, I may have used a big screwdriver of channel locks. This may or may not work on an '84 and its a big pain but I finally got the hood open. Then you can solve the original problem causing the locked hood.

[Ed N.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

John, can you post a picture of the female end. I think I know what you are referring to, but I don't want to assume.

[John M.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

Ed, I am attaching two photos in an attempt to describe what I meant by the female ends. The photo of the car mounted latch is what I meant by the female end. I am sure you will notice the white lithium grease around the hole. The other photo is the hood mounted pin which I usually describe as the male end. You will also notice white lithium grease on the pin. The grease is a result of going in and out of the hole on car mounted latch. The grease seems to keep things lubricated enough to keep the mechanism from freezing. Additionally, I also frequently spray the car mounted latch (female end) around the actual cable and releasing mechanism with a lubricant called Gibbs Brand. I think this product is magic. I use it on many parts of the car including the strut rods on the rear glass hatch. If you are not familiar with this product, you can go on line to www.gibbsbrand.com

[Ed N.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

John, thank you. This is awesome. If you don't mind, I'm going to borrow this and publish it in our Florida newsletter.

I think I'm a little under greased on the female end.

[John M.]

Re: 84 Hood Won't Open

Ed, thank you for the compliment. Please publish this if you feel it will be helpful. John