broken hood release cable - HELP!

Guys/Girls:
this is my first post here, I found the site through a search engine. I need help with my '70 454, which I have started working back into shape after being stored for years.

I went to open the hood, and the release cable pulled completely out without releasing the latch. Judging by the length of the new replacement, it must be broken on the engine compatrment side of the firewall. I've gotten underneath, but haven't been able to see/find anything that makes me think I can release it from the bottom.

I'm hoping to find another car locally that I can open the hood and look in from the top, but until then, I was hoping someone could give me some hope / help / suggestions. I've got a sinking feeling that I'm screwed, blued, and tattooed. Any input?

Thanks, and I'm looking forward to hanging around here and learning alot. Taz

Oh man, that sucks!!! I was just talking to a local 'Vette guy about that exact same thing on my C4 this weekend.. for the C4, he said you had to pull the fenders off etc. In other words, on a C4, ya gotta start by pulling the external body parts off the car... said it could take 6 hours or so to get in again... I hope this isn't the case for you, and please don't go startin' to pull fenders off the car until someone else responds here who definately knows more than me, but I thought I'd mention it in passing.

Good luck, and keep us posted on how it goes.

Remove your drivers side vent grille and you should be able to reach up in there to release the latch. Good luck. Let us know when you get it open.

thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try when I get some time this weekend. The car has Hooker headers and sidepipes, so access may be limited, but we'll give it a go. I'll post results. My assembly manual just came in the mail today, as soon as I get it into a binder I'll go through it and see if there's any pointers. tgw

taz, both midamerica and corvettecentral sell a device soley for your predicament!!!

Hey Taz


I have a 78 and I have the same problem but the drivers side will pop open but not the passenger's. Well I have been searching the forums to see if I could fix my problem. I ran across a old thred I am going to try you might give it a look. I found it on page 13 of this forum it was posted by wifes81. And DaveWJunior replyed and looks like he may have the answer both of us are looking for. If you cant find the post let me know. I am going to try what he is saying to. I will let you know if it works.


Eroc

I broke my hood latck cable and the way I got it opened was by hooking the latch with a wire from under the car. The passenger side was easy as I don't have factory air. I mproved the design by shortening the new cable and replacing the cheap plastic cable clamps with steel parts.

How does this device work?

milovet,
i am not for certian, by appearances it is simply a bent metal rod that seemingly one could manipulate the latch from the top by holding at a certian angle..........it kind of looks like a bent tire patch tool!!??!!

the saga continues......after reading the above, noticed that the plug removal / latch access is for the passenger side. But, last night at a cruise in a nearby town, I was able to look at a 73, and noticed that there was a plug on the driver's side, which would allow me access to the latch to be able to manually trip it.

With high hopes, I went out while ago, but on my '70, there is no such plug on the driver's side. I'm going to contact Corvette Central tomorrow and see about the tool mentioned above.

Stay tuned..............

Here's a couple links for you guys to check out................I have NO idea how any of these work, but its worth a shot! The first link is a universal emergency tool, the second says its for newer vettes, but I bet with a little enginuity you guys can put it to use!!

http://store.rescuetoolman.com/5001.html

http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=32206&dept%5Fid=1100

Hope this helps,

Kyle

I'm down to my last and next to last option. I got a reply from Corvette Central today, and the tool they have (mentioned above) is for the 84-96's, so it appears to be the same as the one Kyle put in in a link. Milovet said his broke and he was able to hook the latch from underneath; I'm going to try that but it may be hard as I've looked and can't even see it due to having Hooker headers and sidepipes. If THAT doesn't work, I guess it goes to a buddy's body shop and let the guys who have a whole lot more experience, and most likely more patience, take a stab at it. Besides, it's got a couple small spots that need some paint so that might be the best approach anyway.

Stick around and see how they get it open and let us know. I know my time is probably comin'. I just might change the cables now to prevent the prob from catching me off guard.

quote:

ORIGINAL: taz7nads

I'm down to my last and next to last option. I got a reply from Corvette Central today, and the tool they have (mentioned above) is for the 84-96's, so it appears to be the same as the one Kyle put in in a link. Milovet said his broke and he was able to hook the latch from underneath; I'm going to try that but it may be hard as I've looked and can't even see it due to having Hooker headers and sidepipes. If THAT doesn't work, I guess it goes to a buddy's body shop and let the guys who have a whole lot more experience, and most likely more patience, take a stab at it. Besides, it's got a couple small spots that need some paint so that might be the best approach anyway.

God, the hair on the back of my neck stood up from reading this post. Holy Toledo. Best of luck, my friend, and please let us know how it all turns out.

WOOOOO HOOOOO!!! Cover me, we're going in! Hood is open! I had given up, and had a friend come get it with a wrecker to take it to a local body shop, as mentioned above. Long story short, one of the guys got up under it while it was lift up HIGH with the wrecker, and was able to work his hand up past the master cylinder (on the out or fender side) and pull the lever that toggles forward and trips the latch. Once open and looking at it, I'm pretty sure that it could have been done by going through the hole in the firewall on the passenger side, because the two are connected - trip one, and the other trips. But, I never could get in there and hit the right spot. I will paint the underside of the lever white so it will be easy to find if it ever happens again.

Anyway, it's open, I'm in, and can now start working on getting it busted off after sitting covered up in my garage for 20+ years. When I get it back (he's fixing a couple of small, minor spots while he has it) I'll try to post some pix if someone can tell me how.
Car is a 1970 390 hp LS5 454, original motor / trans, w/ chrome Hooker headers and sidepipes. Even after being asleep for 20 years, it still looks pretty sharp. Now, just to make it run..................thanks to everyone for all the help / suggestions / encouragement.

Rock 'n ROLL! So glad to hear you're back in business!!

Sure, I can help you with posting pictures, my friend. I won't be here till Monday again, takin' a few days off to recoup from the last few weeks of mayhem here at work, but if you drop me a PM I'll certainly be MORE than happy to help you out as best as I can next week!

Hey,
Congrats.
A '70, 454 Vette, just sittin in your garage for, 20 years?
I don't know how you could do it. I couldn't.....I have to play with my toys!!!

actually, it's 20 PLUS years. The license plate on the back has a 1984 registration sticker, and the inspection sticker was 1983. It's called buying a house, having a couple of kids, paying for other toys, etc. Now, it's the Vette's turn to play......

My hat's off to you for being able to hang on to 'er all these years. I'm sure you will be rewarded!

You wouldn't have been able to do it from psgr side as the the cable from the driver's side pulls the psgr side, so if you unlatched the psgr side, it would just push the connecting cable towards the driver's side. This is based on the 73 setup. I think the 70 was the same or similar but by now you can see it anyway. I always had the fear that this would happen. Glad to hear you got yours open.

This passenger side not releasing happened to me while shopping for a corvette. It was at a chevy dealer on a c3 , a shop tech came out reached under the open driver side of the hood and pulled the cable that goes across to the passenger side. a few inches deep and a few inches in. once hood open it seemed too simple, but that was all there was to it. hope this helps