[jamesq]

I am replacing the hood latch pilot bolt on my 63 and am having issues. The slot is chewed up and will not turn the bolt. I have cut the springs (bad move it appears) to get access to put vice grips on the bolt, and now the bolt spins freely due to no pressure on the top large nut. There is not room to put a wrench on the top nut to hold it still.

If I use a cut off wheel on the bolt, I will not be able to get the nut and whats' left of the bolt out of the hood

Any ideas?

Thanks, James Q

[jamesq]

I ended up cutting off the pilot bolt at the hood with a sawzall. It was surprisingly effective with no sparks flying. I was able to remove the nut with some finagling.

James Q