1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

[Bob B.]

Well, the ol stuck hood bug bit me, might be worse than "The Virus" after cleaning up the engine compartment on my 75 I re-installed the hood on my 75 and YES I did scribe the position of the hinges when I took the hood off- evidently not well enough. The driver side latch is fine works with hood pull release so cable appears to be intact. The passenger side won't unlatch,
I have pulled, pushed, cussed, jammed screwdrivers, twisted the hood, cussed some more, torn up my arm trying to get underside.
And YES I have read past posts on C2, 68-69, Gordons tool and GM's notice to dealers on 70/71s.
So surely I am not the first to do this- what works on a '75
Your input is much appreciated I am at the point of pricing a replacment hood and using a ax, what temper ?
Patience ? I missed that day
THANKS
Bob

[John S.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

Bob, just a thought. Since the drivers side unlatches, perhaps you can lift it up enough to snag the secondary cable that goes over to the passenger side latch and give it a pull.

[Dan B.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

Bob, your 75 latches should be the same as some of the earlier ones you have read about (69-76 are the same). I think your best bet is to snag it from underneath with a rigid wire with a loop or a broom handle if you can't get to it from the top. Calm soothing thoughts are your friend, don't damage the hood. Walk away today, and try again tomorrow. Patience will prevail

[Bob B.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

That is exactly how I cut up my arm, I can bend the hood enough to get my arm in and pull the cable to the passenger side latch pretty well-
hurts but adrenaline helps

[Bob B.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

Patience is not my strong suit however, this happened the night before I was to leave and take it to Bloomington to be judged,
so it has sat for a while while I found more patience. That and I went to Calif for the winter, now back in TN and my 75
Has anybody used Gordon K's tool ?

THANK YOU I am thinking put it on a rack and come from the underside anybody tried that?
Bob

[David H.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

Bob

Gordon Killebrew's hood release tool is for C4s.

Dave

[James B.]

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjKjvXHzcbpAhVQsZ4KHWXzDdgQwqsBMAB6BAgHEAM&url=https%3A%2F%2Fm.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZ4BhkZ26nTQ&usg=AOvVaw0qLjp6eaXbvvUyME3m4JHr

[Michael S.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

A few years back I had a 75 and had one of "those" tools, can't remember who I bought it from. Pretty basic but had the right bends and length to make it pretty effective. I'm assuming the tool is the same as what you are talking about, a rod with a couple bends.
MIke

Sorry, in retrospect, it might have been my 92 that I had it for. This age thing is awful.

[Bob B.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

THANKS will do should have thought of that myself
Bob

[Arland D.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

Bob,

PM sent

[Bob B.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

OK, another hour without release. I can get the drivers side of the hood open enough to pull on the cable going front driver to passenger side, does not appear to be broken. I can pull the cable enough to get the passenger side latch to sound like it is un latching, and the hood comes up 1/4 inch. But the passenger side of the hood is STILL not opening. I have pushed side to side, front to rear, pushed the firewall plug out and tried to poke with a screwdriver wont open. Feels like the spear "pin" portion of the latch is sticking on something. I am about ready to get a circle saw and replace the hood HELP
Thanks Bob

[John S.]

[Dan B.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

OK, another hour without release. I can get the drivers side of the hood open enough to pull on the cable going front driver to passenger side, does not appear to be broken. I can pull the cable enough to get the passenger side latch to sound like it is un latching, and the hood comes up 1/4 inch. But the passenger side of the hood is STILL not opening. I have pushed side to side, front to rear, pushed the firewall plug out and tried to poke with a screwdriver wont open. Feels like the spear "pin" portion of the latch is sticking on something. I am about ready to get a circle saw and replace the hood HELP
Thanks Bob

Bob, since you can now reach the passenger cable from the top, try installing a small rigid wire to pull the cable so you can almost close the hood on the drivers side while attempting to pull the cable on the stuck side. A change in the hood angle while a helper tries to lift on the stuck side might do the trick for you. You might also try removing the drivers latch to further improve the angle.

[Bob B.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

Good thought, will give it a shot today Thanks Bob

[Bob B.]

Re: 1975 hood stuck closed passenger side

Ok, this is really whipping me. Yesterday I bought some aluminum tube about 1/2 " diameter, went over some very good pictures I had taken of bot male and female parts of passenger side hood latch. Knocked the firewall plug out and poked and prodded for another hour. I can hear the spring as I hit it which means I am close to the latch, poke and twist and nothing. I can pull the cable that goes across the back of the hood that opens the latch (supposedly) I can get the latch to work (hear a click and hood pops up 1/4") but then everything jams- feels like the locating male pin is catching on the female part. Two us (both big guys) push side to side, front to rear up and down repeatedly bounce it and nothing.
I think the latch is opening, but is catching on something and I have taken the aluminum rod to wack everything I can get under the hood in the area of the latch nothing. WHAT AM I MISSING ????
IF all fails, has anybody cut into the hood to open the hood ???? where, size etc last action, but got to get it open, nice car to do to.
Has anybody successfully gone from underside of the car to open ? I really appreciate your assistance here, this one has got me stumped.
Bob