Installed the 68 shelby fiberglass hoodthe other day on our coupe. Yesterday I drilled the 2 bolt holes and installed the hood latch after I got the hood lined up decently. When I closed the hood it latched and now it will not open. [:@] I lift the release tab on the latch and the safety catch releases however the main catch is not moving at all to clear the pin. I know there is an issue with it not moving if the small spring is missing however after looking I found the spring was still there. There is about 1/8" clearance between the pin and the catch so it does not appear to be a tightness issue. That said I still attempted to pushed down on the hood and lift it while lifting the release tab. Still not letting go.

Any ideas how I can open the hood?

 

That's hard to say without seeing in person what exactly it may be catching on or how to come up with a solution. You know that your going to have to be creative to get that latch open if it does not open the way it's suppose to. Can you get a small screwdriver in there and pry the latch over to release? I would try that or something like that.

 

SAWZALL....................

Sorry,,,

Man that is a tough issue..... I don't suppose that your grill is off the car?

Possible grille sacrifice to have a better chance of reaching the latch/pin?

Have you tried bumping (hard) the hood backward and side to side while someone holds the latch open?

In my mind Iimagine that the latch is opening almost enough to let loose of the pin, or the latch is released and the pin is cocked just enough that it is stuck behind the stationary part of the latch....

Open latch + vigorous hood movement = possible success...

 

lol ok the sawzall IS an option however not at this time

I've attempted to push the main latch with a screwdriver while lifting the release and it simply will not move at all. [:@] With the 1/8" clearance top and bottom of pin it pushing down/up/side-to-side on the hood shouldn't be needed.. though did try it unseccessfully. The grill has had better days and I do have the new 68 grill for the shelby front end so yeah if it comes to that I dont mind.

I may just say screw it for now and leave it stuck for the trip up to Canada. Just hope they don't wanna open the hood at the border. Ticks me off though as it was working fine on the old hood.

Took a picture of the latch and the problem area also showing the spring, etc.

[IMG]local://upfiles/78041/845D84FF590241158654F4B67C0692E9.jpg[/IMG]

 

From what I can see of the grille, it's toast. Go ahead and rip it out any way you can.

I wouldn't make any road trips without being able to open the hood. You must have a ton of confidence in your car.

 

Andinvoking Murphy's law to it's greatest extent!

I have gotten away with similar exploits!!

but not being able to check the oil would but the sh*t out of me... [:-]

 

[sm=happybounce.gif] ROAD TRIP! [sm=happybounce.gif]

With a 40 year old car that hasn't been on the road in at least 12 years.. Sounds like fun to me! Really though.. lol Not a chance! The trip from New Jersey to Halifax, Nova Scotia will be by trailer.

I think they are picking it up next week so I'll just start putting the extra items I have in the trunk for now. I'll deal with it once it gets up there as we'll be tearing it down completely anyways.

 

Ok ! why Halifax?

 

I grew up in Halifax. All my friends and family are there and I have a lot more contacts up there then I do here for a car resto. I have a fully equipped garage to use and a secured storage site I can put the car when I'm back here in Jersey for a few weeks. I'll be spending a month or so at a time up there. This project is also a reason to spend some good time with my fatherover the next 8 or 9 months and he knows a butt load more than I do about cars.

Also.. Why not? If you've never been to Halifax its a great city!