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Thread: Can't Open Hood - '73 S

  1. #1
    Lighting Specialist jaudette3's Avatar
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    Can't Open Hood - '73 S

    I made some small (but obviously too big) adjustments to the hood hinges on my '73 S in an attempt to make the gaps a bit better (old 356 habit). Stupidly, I didn't remove the top latch while I was experimenting -- and now I can't get it to release. I tried having my wife pull on the release while I pushed down with no luck.

    The factory manual describes a process to release the hood when the cable is broken that involves removing the front spoiler and drillng a hole. I'd really like to avoid that.

    Any advice would be greatlyappreciated.

    John Audette

  2. #2
    Jared Rundell - Registered User JCR's Avatar
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    The first thing I would try (after what you have already done) is slowly drive down a bumpy road with the cable release fully pulled.
    Set rag covered vice grips on the cable and try to get some torsional forces to help pop the latch post out.

    Good Luck!
    Jared
    '73 911S #0793
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  3. #3
    I posted almost the same thing on Pelican to this question, except using the road to do the tweaking. Good idea. Hell, just going up and down a driveway at different angles ought to do it

  4. #4
    Lighting Specialist jaudette3's Avatar
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    Thanks guys. Off to try it.

    - JA

  5. #5
    Originally posted by JCR
    The first thing I would try (after what you have already done) is slowly drive down a bumpy road with the cable release fully pulled.
    Just make sure your safety catch is working properly

    I'm one of the unfortunate people that has experienced a hood flying open at 70+ mph (not in a P-car). I was amazed at how many people I mentioned this to that had the same thing happen at some point.

  6. #6
    Lighting Specialist jaudette3's Avatar
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    Fixed

    Thanks to everyone who took the time to help. I was a little gun-shy to drive fast and hope it opened, afraid of what would happen if the safety latch failed to catch.

    I used a plastic "bone" to pry one side while someone held down the other side -- and it popped free. I then fiddled around with the hinges a bit and improved the gaps quite a bit. I also move the top latch over a bit and it works smoothly.

    Thanks again,
    John

    P.S. I sold a '69 Tangerine car a while back -- I still have a severe case of seller's remorse. My silver '73 S was originally Tangerine and I'm trying to wear out the paint so I can repaint it that color.

  7. #7
    Originally posted by jaudette3
    I was a little gun-shy to drive fast and hope it opened, afraid of what would happen if the safety latch failed to catch.

    Well, he did say, "drive slowly." Glad it worked out.

  8. #8
    Jared Rundell - Registered User JCR's Avatar
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    Re: Fixed

    [i]... afraid of what would happen if the safety latch failed to catch.[/B]
    What... you don't trust German engineering?
    Jared
    '73 911S #0793
    '69 912_ #0602
    Early S #0454
    RGruppe #0391

  9. #9

    Re: Fixed

    Originally posted by jaudette3

    P.S. I sold a '69 Tangerine car a while back -- I still have a severe case of seller's remorse. My silver '73 S was originally Tangerine and I'm trying to wear out the paint so I can repaint it that color.
    That is funny because I wish my tangerine car was silver.

  10. #10
    Lighting Specialist jaudette3's Avatar
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    Actually, I did put a vise grip on the release cable and drive slowly around my neighborhood. I hit every bump I could see but it didn't open. I think I had it pretty out of whack. I might have been a little more aggressive, but I had a hood fly up on a 356 in the 70's at about 70 mph. That'll get your attention!

    Thanks again for everyones help. This is a great board.

    John
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