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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Body, Glass & Paint => Topic started by: werewolfx13 on August 13, 2010, 10:14:21 pm

Title: Hood jammed shut, usual tricks won't work
Post by: werewolfx13 on August 13, 2010, 10:14:21 pm
I've opened and closed my hood probably 5 times a day every day I've touched my '83 for the last 3 months while replacing the wiring harness, and today while trying to find the shorted wire causing my AC/heat fuse to immediately blow, I shut the hood, then remembered I forgot to re-tie the ground wire to the compressor..went to pop the hood open again, and nothing..cable pulls, but no pop..tried having my wife pull the cable while I thumped the hood in various places, no dice. I'm guessing the cable broke, but can anyone advise me on how I'm supposed to get a tight fitting, well adjusted hood open without a connected cable? I can BARELY fit a 1/4" cabinet tip slotted screwdriver between the hood and the core support, and then if I pry on it, I can open it maybe 3/8-1/2" max...
Title: Re: Hood jammed shut, usual tricks won't work
Post by: 1980c10 on August 14, 2010, 12:05:17 am
maybe you can remove the grille or headlight bezels for better access. depends how the cable is run i guess.
Title: Re: Hood jammed shut, usual tricks won't work
Post by: 1980c10 on August 14, 2010, 12:06:33 am
driver's side headlight too..
Title: Re: Hood jammed shut, usual tricks won't work
Post by: werewolfx13 on August 14, 2010, 01:02:36 am
Well, my grille is an aftermarket square tube grille, and I just bolted it in with 1/4" stainless nuts and bolts, top and bottom..not really removable without having the hood open. The headlight option is a good idea, but I don't think I can reach in the headlight opening far enough with my big arms to do much..I might end up prying the hood open with the small screwdriver, then get a bigger one in and pry a bit harder til I can fit a socket and extension in to loosen the adjustment bolts on the latch to give me enough room to play around with. This is the second hood latch I've had give me fits, my '87 v20 took some manipulation to get open a few days ago..its about enough to make me want to resort to stainless hood pins. :(
Title: Re: Hood jammed shut, usual tricks won't work
Post by: werewolfx13 on August 15, 2010, 01:16:19 am
So much for the broken cable idea..went to get in the truck to head to work this morning, decided to give the release one more pull..popped right open like it was brand new.  ::)
Title: Re: Hood jammed shut, usual tricks won't work
Post by: Irish_Alley on August 15, 2010, 03:18:18 am
::) Silly Chevy wanted to be a ford lol. I would try to fix it before it happens again. Maybe it was just moister that caused it to swell ;D
Title: Re: Hood jammed shut, usual tricks won't work
Post by: Bitzer! on August 15, 2010, 07:29:45 am
So much for the broken cable idea..went to get in the truck to head to work this morning, decided to give the release one more pull..popped right open like it was brand new.  ::)

check where the handle meets the cable. if the handle is loose it'll tension there before it pulls the cable fully!

hope that makes sense!
Title: Re: Hood jammed shut, usual tricks won't work
Post by: Captkaos on August 16, 2010, 05:28:16 pm
Lube the latching mechanism.