71 hood released but won't open

[yelcab1]

I have a 71 long hood car whose front hood won't open.

I can push the hood down until it clicks in the fully down position.

From inside the car, I can pull the release knob and it will come out by an inch. Then the front hood will pop up about 1/2 inch but no more. The gap is not enough for me to slide my hand in and activate the catch release.

I put a scope camera into the gap and it shows that I can use a thick wire bent at the right angle to fully pull back on the catch release. But the hood will not come loose. Something is catching the hook and will not let go of the hood.

Does anybody know what to try next? What are more destructive options?

[RobFrost]

Pull the safety hook forwards or push it backwards and to either side, e.g. with coathanger wire or a piece of cutlery. There's another piece of metal below the actual keep for the hook, which it can catch on.

Also, try lifting the hood while someone adjusts the release pull inside the car in case it's the primary catch catching.

Go slow and don't scratch your paintwork, which you would regret.

Also, push down on the hood to release the hook as the keep is actually quite concave.

Sent from my SM-G988B using Tapatalk

[Tea Tray]

While a helper pulls on the release, try moving the hood side to side while jiggling it up and down a bit.
My hood got stuck just once and I could never understand how/why.

[yelcab1]

I have been looking at the hood latch picture for the 71 and I think the main spring loaded rod is caught on something and won't pop up all the way.

I will try to pull the cable and drive it down a really rough road to see if the vibration will pop it ou
if not, I can cut a hole under neath the trunk to access it. Can I get to the tip of the primary rod through a hole from underneath? If someone with a 71 can look at the inside of their trunk, under the catch mounting and see if that is possible, that would be great

[E Sully]

I remember it took a bit of adjustment when installing a new cable in my 1973, but the catch is designed to lock in a midpoint position of travel, and release if the cable breaks and the latch travels past a certain point.
Also here is a pic from manual I found searching the forum, not sure what year car.

[yelcab1]

The car has a non OEM bumper that is mounted with through bolts into the trunk. Removing bumper is not possible without opening the trunk, unless we want to destroy the bumper, last resort.

I can drill / cut a 4 inch hole at the bottom of the trunk and stick something up into the trunk but I want to know if I can even access the main rod after I stick my arm up there.

[T6andT]

HI Yelcab, Just looked in my 71' beneath the catch assy is a sheet metal secondary layer that would stop any direct access if a hole was drilled underneath, there is a smaller access port on the side that may work. I had a similar problem awhile back, I found that moving the hood side to side and actually flexing it enabled it to release. I am close to San Carlos so maybe looking at another car could help,

[thetorch]

In Portola Valley near you and happy to help try to fix it. I suspect the 2 of us together could sort it without having to do damage. PM me if you like. I am around most days.
-Torch

[yelcab1]

I was able to look at a 69 and you are right there is no access from below. It does look like the primary rod is catching on something after it was released and only pop up 1/2 inch.

I can't get back to it for another 2 weeks. I'll ask for help then.

[T6andT]

Great, feel free to contact either Torch or me, I am in Woodside so very close as well. All else fails I have a really big hammer, just kidding.

[thetorch]

Originally Posted by T6andT

Great, feel free to contact either Torch or me, I am in Woodside so very close as well. All else fails I have a really big hammer, just kidding.

lol. My kids brag their "old man is a television repairman. He's got this ultimate set of tools."

Choose your poison...:^)

[yelcab1]

To close this off.

With a lot of flexing of the hood, it popped off.

Upon inspection, it is clear that the primary rod was bent, misaligned, and was caught at the front edge of the hole.

I removed the whole assembly, disassembled the primary rod, straighten it out, and ground off the interference. It is now better.

Thanks to those who offered to help in person. You are all a good bunch.