hood release not working on my 1966

[Roger M.]

I went to open the hood on my 1966 and only the driver side released. So I pulled the release handle again (has happened before) which normally works. Instead the cable started to join me in the cockpit. So, how do I get the hood opened if the mechanism for that has ceased to function and the misbehaving part is under the hood?

[Mike M.]

Re: hood release not working on my 1966

put 66 on a lift and attempt to release the catches. u may have to remove the splash pans to access the catches/latches. After u have the hood open and up, adjust the location of the hood latches so , in future, u won't have to exert so much force on hood release mechanism. and bend the cables over 90 degrees, after tightening the brass barrels. good luck, mike

[Don H.]

Re: hood release not working on my 1966

Roger,
Mike about covered it, but if you want more detail with some photos, check the Similar Threads right below the bottom post on this page. As you can imagine, you are not the first to suffer this calamity. Good luck,

[Roger M.]

Re: hood release not working on my 1966

Mike / Don - Thank you both. I noticed those earlier posts after I posted mine but missed the photo showing a home made tool and how to use it. Now I just have to find someone local with a lift that I can use so I can get this fixed. Hopefully it will be a fix once and done or I will have to use someone's lift again once I find out if I need any parts to fix it. I think one of the local members told me I could use their lift sometime. It's either that or putting my car on my ramps. I am always nervous working under it that way.

[Larry M.]

Re: hood release not working on my 1966

Is your car a factory air car?? These cars are more difficult and require a special tool and technique. But info on all that is available in our older threads (June 2014). I believe it was also a fairly recent Restorer article. Dave Zuberer is the author.

If you do not have factory air, access to the latch mechanisms should be straightforward after removing the splash pans. A strong wooden stick or cutoff broomstick should allow you to open the hood from under the car. A lift is not required, but you do need to be able to get under the car with the stick. Personally I would simply jack up the car a bit and put it on stands, and get the job done.

As Mike says above, after repairing the cable, you need to adjust the latches for easier operation.

Larry

[Roger M.]

Re: hood release not working on my 1966

My thanks to the three of you. I got my car up on my ramps and removed the splash guard on the driver side. From there I could see that the cable had pulled out of its retainer. Being left handed I was able to reach up to the lever and pull it towards the fire wall like the cable would have. That released both sides of the hood. I have reattached the cable as well as have, for now, tied a cloth clothes line to the lever and ran it out to my grill in case it happens again before I can really fix it - I also have vise grips in the car to pull the cable from the interior until I get a new handle (the old one was NOT the correct one for a 66 vette and no longer will grip the cable. I will order a cable replacement kit (with proper handle) and get it all back in proper working order and get rid of my pull rope - hoping to have the car judged in April and the rope would not be how the car left the factory.

[Don H.]

Re: hood release not working on my 1966

Good to hear Roger, and you're right. These cars all left the factory with 10 lb test monofilament line snaked out the gills.
Those lines must have gotten removed during dealer prep.