'80 chevy hood problems - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

the12catlady · 11-27-2006, 01:13 PM

can someone please tell me how (if it is possible) to get the hood open on an '80 chevy if the hood release in the cab is broken off? you can just barely grab the wires of the broken cable with pliers, but it won't open. it's going to be hard to get the truck up and running if i can't even open the hood.......

the12catlady

grinch4om · 11-27-2006, 01:15 PM

can you grab the wires? if so , have someone push down on the hood while you pull,

boxrodz · 11-27-2006, 04:29 PM

You can also cut back some of the cable sheathing (with a Dremel or ...) to have more access to the cable.

nico · 11-27-2006, 05:55 PM

I recently pulled the engine out of an 81 that burned inside... Everything inside the cab was gone, but I was able to open the hood by removing the driver side headlight and working my arm through the hole to grab the cable... I was able to pull it down enough to cut with wire cutters and pull on the inner cable with vise-grips... Worked pretty good, but I didn't have to worry about saving the light or cable... I guess you could also remove the grill and remove the latch mechanism...

84 400 · 11-27-2006, 07:26 PM

welcome to the board nico!

as for the hood lach problem you can't remove the grill from the ouside if my memory serves me right could be wrong of course. I sould push back some of the sleave in he cab as stated above and get a good pull on it. your gonaa have to replace the cable anyways

the12catlady · 11-27-2006, 08:44 PM

hmmm... ok i tried cutting back the cable sheathing to get a better grip on the wire - and had someone push down on the hood - but it's not budging. could the hood hinges or latch be rusted in position? is there a way to get around that? (is there a way to just take the hood off?)
the12catlady

grinch4om · 11-27-2006, 09:08 PM

not that I'm aware of, try bouncing on the hood,(hands only) while pulling cable

lurch115 · 11-27-2006, 09:10 PM

another trick to try as it sounds like the latch is possibly froze up....try having someone GENTALLY sit on the front of the hood and then try pulling on the cable again...

boxrodz · 11-28-2006, 03:08 AM

When you pull the cable, the hood should just slightly unlock then fully unlock when the cable is released. The hood spring should pop the hood to fully unlock it. As the others mentioned, if you can have someone push and pull on the hood while you pull the cable, then release the cable as they pull up on the hood, the hood latch may release.

Otherwise, you may be able to remove the bolts holding the latch from the underside and behind the grille by first drilling out the bolts' centers, then using a bolt extractor to loosen the bolts. (A drill bit with a long extension is needed to reach the bolts.)

The other way of unlatching the hood requires a latch that is functional.

Matt_305 · 11-28-2006, 06:26 PM

I know this sounds violent, my hood wasn't painted at the time but my cable let go at the latch so I took a crowbar or a tire iron I can't remember which and carefully pried up on the front lip of the hood in the very centre (do not try the edge I dented a rusted out quarter panel). Hold it up just high enough to slide a socket wrench with a long extension on it I believe there is two, 1/2 inch bolts holding the latch put it on there and at that point once you get the wrench on one of them you can even remove the pry bar. It might seem frightening but it worked for me with no harm done.

11-27-2006, 01:13 PM	#1
the12catlady Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: N.E. Oklahoma Posts: 5	'80 chevy hood problems can someone please tell me how (if it is possible) to get the hood open on an '80 chevy if the hood release in the cab is broken off? you can just barely grab the wires of the broken cable with pliers, but it won't open. it's going to be hard to get the truck up and running if i can't even open the hood....... the12catlady

11-27-2006, 01:15 PM	#2
grinch4om dang its hot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: frankfort kentucky Posts: 1,349	Re: '80 chevy hood problems can you grab the wires? if so , have someone push down on the hood while you pull,

11-27-2006, 04:29 PM	#3
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Re: '80 chevy hood problems You can also cut back some of the cable sheathing (with a Dremel or ...) to have more access to the cable. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

11-27-2006, 05:55 PM	#4
nico Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Marietta, OK Posts: 153	Re: '80 chevy hood problems I recently pulled the engine out of an 81 that burned inside... Everything inside the cab was gone, but I was able to open the hood by removing the driver side headlight and working my arm through the hole to grab the cable... I was able to pull it down enough to cut with wire cutters and pull on the inner cable with vise-grips... Worked pretty good, but I didn't have to worry about saving the light or cable... I guess you could also remove the grill and remove the latch mechanism...

11-27-2006, 07:26 PM	#5
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: '80 chevy hood problems welcome to the board nico! as for the hood lach problem you can't remove the grill from the ouside if my memory serves me right could be wrong of course. I sould push back some of the sleave in he cab as stated above and get a good pull on it. your gonaa have to replace the cable anyways __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out

11-27-2006, 08:44 PM	#6
the12catlady Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: N.E. Oklahoma Posts: 5	Re: '80 chevy hood problems hmmm... ok i tried cutting back the cable sheathing to get a better grip on the wire - and had someone push down on the hood - but it's not budging. could the hood hinges or latch be rusted in position? is there a way to get around that? (is there a way to just take the hood off?) the12catlady

11-27-2006, 09:08 PM	#7
grinch4om dang its hot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: frankfort kentucky Posts: 1,349	Re: '80 chevy hood problems not that I'm aware of, try bouncing on the hood,(hands only) while pulling cable

11-27-2006, 09:10 PM	#8
lurch115 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: iowa Posts: 722	Re: '80 chevy hood problems another trick to try as it sounds like the latch is possibly froze up....try having someone GENTALLY sit on the front of the hood and then try pulling on the cable again... __________________ "Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you carry the wall with you." '84 chevy half ton short box 2wd, 67,000 actual miles '03 chevy 1500 HD crew cab 4x4 standard box, 6.0L

11-28-2006, 03:08 AM	#9
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Re: '80 chevy hood problems When you pull the cable, the hood should just slightly unlock then fully unlock when the cable is released. The hood spring should pop the hood to fully unlock it. As the others mentioned, if you can have someone push and pull on the hood while you pull the cable, then release the cable as they pull up on the hood, the hood latch may release. Otherwise, you may be able to remove the bolts holding the latch from the underside and behind the grille by first drilling out the bolts' centers, then using a bolt extractor to loosen the bolts. (A drill bit with a long extension is needed to reach the bolts.) The other way of unlatching the hood requires a latch that is functional. Attached Images __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

11-28-2006, 06:26 PM	#10
Matt_305 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 102	Re: '80 chevy hood problems I know this sounds violent, my hood wasn't painted at the time but my cable let go at the latch so I took a crowbar or a tire iron I can't remember which and carefully pried up on the front lip of the hood in the very centre (do not try the edge I dented a rusted out quarter panel). Hold it up just high enough to slide a socket wrench with a long extension on it I believe there is two, 1/2 inch bolts holding the latch put it on there and at that point once you get the wrench on one of them you can even remove the pry bar. It might seem frightening but it worked for me with no harm done. __________________ 1981 GMC Sierra 1500 4.1L I6 1985 GMC Sierra 1500 5.0L V8 (Parts Truck)



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