Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cool68 · 10-03-2013, 11:01 PM

'68 C10 - press up on flat part of lever under front of hood nothing happens. I did a search for solutions, no luck. have any ideas how to correct this major problem? I can see some of the bolts that hold the latch mechanism to radiator support. would removing them work to get open? even pictures of complete latch set up would possibly help me figure this out.

Thanks in advance.

swamp rat · 10-03-2013, 11:29 PM

Did you try pressing up on the lever and also pushing down on the hood at the same time?

cool68 · 10-03-2013, 11:40 PM

will give it a try tomorrow morning - Thanks

swamp rat · 10-04-2013, 12:00 AM

Oh yea, on mine i could here it want to release but i had to also push up on it with my hand on the face of the hood (72) until i could get my fingers under it, then i finally got around to oiling the hinges and now it pops right open.

cool68 · 10-04-2013, 12:36 AM

Thanks

Sklptrljay · 10-04-2013, 12:44 AM

Bent hinges won't help either.

cool68 · 10-04-2013, 12:58 AM

hood works great when I can get it open. might replace hood stops

BlacklandCamper · 10-04-2013, 02:43 AM

I use a big honking screwdriver while holding the lever.

Think I need new hinges.

cdowns · 10-04-2013, 05:40 AM

when you finally get it open you might want to spray the heck out of it with WD40 to clean it and then use a liberal coating of grease to lubricate it

RustyBucket · 10-04-2013, 06:08 AM

I had to lay under the front of my '72 Blazer with a piece of 1"x2"(furring strip) about 2ft. long and push up from underneath the bumper. My wife pushed down on the hood at the same time and it popped open.

cool68 · 10-04-2013, 10:57 AM

I tried the first suggestion and no results. sounds like it is very close but, nothing. Rusty Bucket - where exactly did you use wood to apply pressure? open to any ideas on what to do.

cool68 · 10-04-2013, 04:30 PM

handle has no upward movement when pressed on because it hits hood. the hood is down tight and has no movement when pushed on. looks like I can get to the bracket bolts, guess I will try that and loosen everything up hopefully.

RustyBucket · 10-04-2013, 05:01 PM

As I recall I pushed up on the release lever straight up from the bottom. Been awhile.

cool68 · 10-05-2013, 12:21 PM

Thanks

RustyBucket · 10-05-2013, 11:12 PM

success?

cool68 · 10-05-2013, 11:29 PM

no yet, got a couple bolts out, with some pain. but, have been side tracked with going to the Oakland A's/Detroit Tigers game, etc. hopefully get back to it late tomorrow. going to the Turlock Swap Meet in the morning.

franken · 10-05-2013, 11:58 PM

I have a piece of wood I lever the hood open with as I press the release.
Sad, but true.
I think it's due to some PO hacking the center bracket (from the core support to the grill) to install funky square wire mesh in front of the radiator, but I'm not sure. I'm also fairly certain I have a replacement bracket, but never installed it...

BrianG · 10-06-2013, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool68

no yet, got a couple bolts out, with some pain. but, have been side tracked with going to the Oakland A's/Detroit Tigers game, etc. hopefully get back to it late tomorrow. going to the Turlock Swap Meet in the morning.

Darn... All even now! We'll get you in Detroit!

Hope you're able to get that darn thing open soon.

cool68 · 10-09-2013, 11:19 PM

Finally. removed hood latch - what a pain, to my arms and my patience. In part delayed to watching sports. Also, ended up helping a relative move some furniture, bad idea. Ended up having a heavy entertainment center smash my right arm and bruise the bone - ouch.
The biggest delay was the fact of being able to see bolts but, barely touch them. Then try to get wrench on the bolts and be able to turn and remove. My trusty cheapo needle nose style vice grips came in real handy. Then to end up with a latch that works perfectly fine when out of truck. I have been told that it might not be for a '68 - some pictures attached for anyone that really knows latches to let me know. Hope that no one else ever has to go through this.

swamp rat · 10-09-2013, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool68

Finally. removed hood latch - what a pain, to my arms and my patience. In part delayed to watching sports. Also, ended up helping a relative move some furniture, bad idea. Ended up having a heavy entertainment center smash my right arm and bruise the bone - ouch.
The biggest delay was the fact of being able to see bolts but, barely touch them. Then try to get wrench on the bolts and be able to turn and remove. My trusty cheapo needle nose style vice grips came in real handy. Then to end up with a latch that works perfectly fine when out of truck. I have been told that it might not be for a '68 - some pictures attached for anyone that really knows latches to let me know. Hope that no one else ever has to go through this.

So now its out how does the hood operate? does it pop up by itself after you push it down or does it stay down? be sure to lube the hinges and get it moving freely, also a good time to look at the bump stops to make sure they are adjusted close to the same. Look for anyplace on the latch that could be binding up on the hood pin that shouldn't, is the hood adjusted too far back or forward?

cool68 · 10-10-2013, 12:38 AM

the hood was very hard to open by pressing up on latch with very little movement, then hood would pop up a little. then the latch finally stopped working because it had no clearance to push up, and hood had no movement either. That is why I had to remove latch the hard way. Comparing latches offered on eBay the ones for '68 do not look like one I removed. Maybe it is a '69-'70. I will do some more research before looking for a replacement.

BlacklandCamper · 10-10-2013, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cool68

Then to end up with a latch that works perfectly fine when out of truck. I have been told that it might not be for a '68 - some pictures attached for anyone that really knows latches to let me know. Hope that no one else ever has to go through this.

You may have hit on my issue. My truck is a '71, but it has a hood emblem. I think the PO put a '70 hood on it.

Wonder if that would cause an issue.

PanelDeland · 10-10-2013, 09:59 AM

Sounds like the handle for the latch may be bent and not operating the latch completely.

cool68 · 10-10-2013, 11:42 AM

does not look bent - look at pictures - but, might be for a '71-'72.

cool68 · 10-10-2013, 10:29 PM

ordered a good used '67-'68 hood latch to try out from vintagechevytrucks.com
via eBay

10-03-2013, 11:01 PM	#1
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? '68 C10 - press up on flat part of lever under front of hood nothing happens. I did a search for solutions, no luck. have any ideas how to correct this major problem? I can see some of the bolts that hold the latch mechanism to radiator support. would removing them work to get open? even pictures of complete latch set up would possibly help me figure this out. Thanks in advance.

10-03-2013, 11:29 PM	#2
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? Did you try pressing up on the lever and also pushing down on the hood at the same time? __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

10-03-2013, 11:40 PM	#3
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? will give it a try tomorrow morning - Thanks

10-04-2013, 12:00 AM	#4
swamp rat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Spanaway Posts: 8,451	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? Oh yea, on mine i could here it want to release but i had to also push up on it with my hand on the face of the hood (72) until i could get my fingers under it, then i finally got around to oiling the hinges and now it pops right open. __________________ Mike. Swamp Rat build thread : http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=595019 72 3/4T 4X4 4" BDS Lift 33" BFG's

10-04-2013, 12:36 AM	#5
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? Thanks

10-04-2013, 12:44 AM	#6
Sklptrljay Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Stillwater, Oklahoma Posts: 874	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? Bent hinges won't help either.

10-04-2013, 12:58 AM	#7
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? hood works great when I can get it open. might replace hood stops

10-04-2013, 02:43 AM	#8
BlacklandCamper Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Farmersville, TX Posts: 238	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? I use a big honking screwdriver while holding the lever. Think I need new hinges. __________________ Grunt: 1971 C20 Custom Camper. Runs/Drives/Kinda stops. 350Ci, TH350. 4.10:1 D60. Eight Lug LWB is more better. Hell no its not fast! Donkey: 93 Nissan D21, the farm truck. My 1/2 ton SWB. The Indomitable Datsun. 1st BN 3rd MAR. '00-'04

10-04-2013, 05:40 AM	#9
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? when you finally get it open you might want to spray the heck out of it with WD40 to clean it and then use a liberal coating of grease to lubricate it __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

10-04-2013, 06:08 AM	#10
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,055	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? I had to lay under the front of my '72 Blazer with a piece of 1"x2"(furring strip) about 2ft. long and push up from underneath the bumper. My wife pushed down on the hood at the same time and it popped open. __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!!

10-04-2013, 10:57 AM	#11
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? I tried the first suggestion and no results. sounds like it is very close but, nothing. Rusty Bucket - where exactly did you use wood to apply pressure? open to any ideas on what to do.

10-04-2013, 04:30 PM	#12
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? handle has no upward movement when pressed on because it hits hood. the hood is down tight and has no movement when pushed on. looks like I can get to the bracket bolts, guess I will try that and loosen everything up hopefully.

10-04-2013, 05:01 PM	#13
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,055	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? As I recall I pushed up on the release lever straight up from the bottom. Been awhile. __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!!

10-05-2013, 12:21 PM	#14
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? Thanks

10-05-2013, 11:12 PM	#15
RustyBucket Registered User Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Space Coast, Fl. Posts: 1,055	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? success? __________________ Dad always said, "Son, WISH IN ONE HAND, and ......." -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- Current toy trucks: '71 GMC 1500 SUPER CUSTOM short/step, orig. dk. blue, 350/700r, ps,pb, A/C '72 Blazer 2wd, ochre & white, 454, tremecTKO 500 5spd. ps, pb, A/C, tilt Last 10yrs of hobby vehicles, had a FEW more in the 50yrs. before these: '66 Plymouth Belvedere City of Miami cop car clone. '70 Nova 406"sb, 13.5-1, solid roller, Brodix, p.glide/t.brake, back halved, 9" Ford, spool 4.88, cage,ladder bar/coilover, 10.5 tire....... SOLD!! '67 C10 short/step side mount spare -- SOLD!! '72 Jimmy 2wd, 350/350, ps, pb, fun driver, lots of bondo & a shiny red paint job..... SOLD!! '69 Nova 350, 4spd, A/C, ps, p.b, ...SOLD!!



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10-05-2013, 11:29 PM	#16
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? no yet, got a couple bolts out, with some pain. but, have been side tracked with going to the Oakland A's/Detroit Tigers game, etc. hopefully get back to it late tomorrow. going to the Turlock Swap Meet in the morning.

10-05-2013, 11:58 PM	#17
franken Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Somewhere Posts: 3,130	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? I have a piece of wood I lever the hood open with as I press the release. Sad, but true. I think it's due to some PO hacking the center bracket (from the core support to the grill) to install funky square wire mesh in front of the radiator, but I'm not sure. I'm also fairly certain I have a replacement bracket, but never installed it...

10-09-2013, 11:19 PM	#19
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? Finally. removed hood latch - what a pain, to my arms and my patience. In part delayed to watching sports. Also, ended up helping a relative move some furniture, bad idea. Ended up having a heavy entertainment center smash my right arm and bruise the bone - ouch. The biggest delay was the fact of being able to see bolts but, barely touch them. Then try to get wrench on the bolts and be able to turn and remove. My trusty cheapo needle nose style vice grips came in real handy. Then to end up with a latch that works perfectly fine when out of truck. I have been told that it might not be for a '68 - some pictures attached for anyone that really knows latches to let me know. Hope that no one else ever has to go through this. Attached Images

10-10-2013, 12:38 AM	#21
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? the hood was very hard to open by pressing up on latch with very little movement, then hood would pop up a little. then the latch finally stopped working because it had no clearance to push up, and hood had no movement either. That is why I had to remove latch the hard way. Comparing latches offered on eBay the ones for '68 do not look like one I removed. Maybe it is a '69-'70. I will do some more research before looking for a replacement.

10-10-2013, 09:59 AM	#23
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? Sounds like the handle for the latch may be bent and not operating the latch completely. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

10-10-2013, 11:42 AM	#24
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? does not look bent - look at pictures - but, might be for a '71-'72.

10-10-2013, 10:29 PM	#25
cool68 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 475	Re: Hood Latch Not Working - How to open Hood? ordered a good used '67-'68 hood latch to try out from vintagechevytrucks.com via eBay

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