you can buy or easily custom fabricate a hood release tool from 3/16" steel rod, easily located at most hard ware stores or home depot to reach the latch from the rear thru the open door frame
OR its usually possible to use a custom built hook on a stiff coat hanger wire to reach and pull the latch arm from the rear of the hood if you use a flash light and a set of vise grip pliers so you get a good grip on the hanger wire, the problem is more seeing what your doing than doing it, but once you do get it open, install the emergency release cables
once you get the hood open you might want to install emergency hood release cables, it lets you avoid a lot of aggravation in the future
Locked Out Of The 1989 Vette
Hello, Just bought a 1989 Corvette coupe and love it. Went to store, bought groceries came home and parked. Got out and hit the lock the doors slide lever. came back later and used key, it turns but won't open door. anyone know best way to release the lock or open the door? Neither driver nor...
garage.grumpysperformance.com
VIDEO
heres the tool to open the hood, if its so stuck that it won,t open, once its open ,then check that the latch connector cable is operating correctly and both slide latches fully retract when the release is pulled, if they do and the hood still does not pop open ,the hoods not centered correctly loosen the bolts that hold the spring catch latch mechanism on both sides of the car , (ONE AT A TIME starting with the passenger side first, shut and open the hood then tighten the latch in its new slightly different position, oil the latch mechanism with MOLY SPRAY OIL , keep adjusting until its just right then lock it firmly in place.
spray the replacement cable also, if you install one, and as usually having a shop manual for your corvette and actually reading it is a great idea!
http://www.msmoly.com/
then DRILL a 3/16"- 1/4" drain hole in the lower outer corner . of the hood latch support brace,
to let water drain as that's one of the main causes of rusted and stuck latches
(water sitting trapped in the latch support then do the driver side),
shut and open the hood then tighten the latch in its new slightly different position,
oil the latch mechanism with MOLY SPRAY OIL
http://www.msmoly.com/
then DRILL a 1/4" drain hole in the lower hood latch support brace to let water drain , recheck the connector cable adjustment and that the latches on both sides fully retract when the latch is pulled, if you followed instructions it should now work
why spend $20-$30 or more?
http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999/de ... hoodp1.asp
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.948
your local hardware has 3 ft long
3/16" -PREFERRED diam. -
1/8" works, even easier if you have good steel rod stock
to-1/4" max diam
5/16" diam rod stock, (WILL WORK ON A FEW CARS WITH EXCEPTIONALLY LOOSE HOOD CLEARANCE,
BUT ITS A P.I.T.A. OR IMPOSSIBLE TO USE on some cars,
as its too large IN DIAMETER to slide into the required area,) steel rods for probably under $4
a few seconds with the shops oxy-acetylene torch and a vise (two mandatory tools in my opinion)
results in a nice functional hood opening tool
ask around if you don't have those tools someone will, have them, and you can even do this just fine with a propane torch and an old section of pipe to bend the heated rod in,
look at the picture of the ecklers tool, its a 1/4" " steel rod with two 90 degree bends, made in the same plane so the handle points exactly where the tip points making indexing , and knowing where the tip of the tool points much easier make one end leg bent at 90 degrees about 1.1"-1.2" long the other about 8" long ,,
just not all that difficult to fabricate I made my first one from 1/4" it worked, ok but was a bit flimsy,
5/16 is fine ,but it was a little too large or big to clear and work easily, for easy clearance, and it won't work on some cars due to clearance issues
look over the pictures carefully
[/color]if you want to get fancy slip a 1/4"-5/16" WASHER ON THE HANDLE THEN 7" of blue fuel line , THEN A SECOND a 1/4"-5/16" WASHER ON THE HANDLE AND MIG THE WASHERS SOLIDLY IN PLACE
make one end about 1.1" long the other about 8" long ,yeah, not as nice but 100% as effective for under $7 and 10 minutes work
IT helps a good deal to have a friend with a C-4 that has a working hood to practice on first ,tell you when your pushing the latch lever as you'll be in the doors opening and can't see it as easily, but once you get the hang of it on a working hood latch yours is a snap
BTW make the two bends in the exact same plane, so the tool can lie flat it makes judging the tip angle far easier
instructions for tool use
http://content.madirect.com/pdf/609637.pdf
http://content.mamotorworks.com/pdf/609637.pdf
BTW drill a 1/4 DRAIN hole in the lower hood latch support bracket and oil/grease the hood release and cable very well, it tends to prevent problems that result from water sitting in the bracket
once you get the hood open you might want to install emergency hood release cables, it lets you avoid a lot of aggravation in the future
IF YOU HAVE AN EARLIER 1968-82 C3 this video will help
any good salt water fishing supply can get you the necessary stainless cable/leaders and crimp fittings
or
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette-te ... -3852.html
http://www.mcmaster.com/ctlg/DisplC...69560787957&ScreenWidth=1024&McMMainWidth=804
picture thanks to mikec4c5
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