72 hood latched down

[Robert M.]

I didn't get the latches set right, now the hood is latched and won't release the hood, help!

[Edward J.]

Re: 72 hood latched down

Bob, the only way I know how is to remove the eight screws that hold the wiper grill and there is a plastic plug on the pass side the can be removed to access the hood latch lever this will move both sides to release. use a small screw driver. good luck. the black plastic plug is about 1 in. in dia.

[Kenneth T.]

Re: 72 hood latched down

Robert,

You will have to get under the front of your car with a 1/2" socket and an extension on a ratchet. Loosen the bolts on the front hinges. That may give you the movement you need to pop the latches.

Worse case, remove the bolts entirely and move the hood until they open.
You may need a second person to pull and hold the hood release while you move the hood. Be careful not to damage the paint.

It will open. Good Luck

Ken

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 hood latched down

I didn't get the latches set right, now the hood is latched and won't release the hood, help!

Robert, we need a little more information:
Is only one side latched down (if so which) or both sides? The procedure is different depending on what the answer is to that question.

BTW: Ed's answer will release the right (passenger) side, but NOT the left (driver) side.

[Kenneth L.]

Re: 72 hood latched down

Remove the eggcrate grille. First use a socket on an extension bar from underneath to remove the nut from the lower stud. Then remove the two phillips screws on the top of the side grille and pull it out. Reach up and just pop the latch from inside! And while you're in there, change the vacuum hoses on your evap cannister and vacuum reservior!

[Kenneth T.]

Re: 72 hood latched down

I don't think the problem stated is moving the latch release, as though he had a broken cable. He stated that he misaligned the hood latches.

He may have taken them off to refinish them and did not mark the location for replacement. In this case you can open the latch with the cable or with a crowbar but the hood will not open because the male pin is off center in the latch and binding.

That was my understanding and if so he will have to reposition the hood as the latch bolts are not accessable. I guess he will post and let us know.

Ken

[Jack H.]

Re: 72 hood latched down

Been there, done that! Removed my firewall latches to clean, replate, and lube. SPACED and failed to fully torque the attaching nuts and slammed the hood shut.

All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't get the hood opened again since the latches were rigid relative to the catches...

Solution, go in from below and with various articulating socket wrench extensions, remove the latches from the hood. This was a NASTY job and I was LUCKY...the car wasn't PS equipped. If it had been, that would have posed an interference to getting on to the LH side hood catch fasteners!!!

[Terry M.]

Re: 72 hood latched down

Been there, done that! Removed my firewall latches to clean, replate, and lube. SPACED and failed to fully torque the attaching nuts and slammed the hood shut.

All the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't get the hood opened again since the latches were rigid relative to the catches...

Solution, go in from below and with various articulating socket wrench extensions, remove the latches from the hood. This was a NASTY job and I was LUCKY...the car wasn't PS equipped. If it had been, that would have posed an interference to getting on to the LH side hood catch fasteners!!!

Perhaps you meant PB?

[Jack H.]

Re: 72 hood latched down

I certainly did, amigo! Thanks for correcting my mis-statement...

[Robert M.]

Re: 72 hood latched down

thats guys , your suggestions worked, thats again