[thefirebirdm@n]

HELP!! Went outside last night to take some pics of the TA. Wanted to shoot some pics of the empty engine compartment and I can't get the hood open!!

When I pull the release the hood springs up and stops on something hard. I thought maybe I wasn't pulling the release far enough to pull the little latch all the way in but I worked on it for an hour. I tried pulling the release to pop the hood up, then slightly push the hood down and hold, then pull the release again and lift the hood up again but no dice.

I also tried leveraging the hood to the left or right hoping to pop it off the latch but that didn't work either. I was so mad after an hour of this I was ready to go rent a torch.

I also tried spraying lithium grease in and around the latch as much as I could but it was hard to do since the hood was only partially open!! Release works a little easier but I still can't get the hood up.

The hood is too rusty to save anyway. Any suggestions???

Jimmy
www.firebirdgallery.com
2002 WS6 M6 Trans Am
1970 RAIII Trans Am
1969 GTO

"If you own a Firebird, I'm interested in putting it on my site!!!"

[thefirebirdm@n]

HELP!! Went outside last night to take some pics of the TA. Wanted to shoot some pics of the empty engine compartment and I can't get the hood open!!

When I pull the release the hood springs up and stops on something hard. I thought maybe I wasn't pulling the release far enough to pull the little latch all the way in but I worked on it for an hour. I tried pulling the release to pop the hood up, then slightly push the hood down and hold, then pull the release again and lift the hood up again but no dice.

I also tried leveraging the hood to the left or right hoping to pop it off the latch but that didn't work either. I was so mad after an hour of this I was ready to go rent a torch.

I also tried spraying lithium grease in and around the latch as much as I could but it was hard to do since the hood was only partially open!! Release works a little easier but I still can't get the hood up.

The hood is too rusty to save anyway. Any suggestions???

Jimmy
www.firebirdgallery.com
2002 WS6 M6 Trans Am
1970 RAIII Trans Am
1969 GTO

"If you own a Firebird, I'm interested in putting it on my site!!!"

[78 GHOST]

Jimmy, the T/A I have is really sensitive to improperly adjusted hood alignment. I adjusted it once to get the gaps more even and almost couldn't get the hood open.

To your question, I would suggest trying to push the hood with your hand toward the rear of the car. You also did what I would have tried in pushing from side to side. If this doesn't work, try having a friend (or 2) push the hood towards the front of the car while you try to release it.

Don't worry, this is just like that damned Rubic's cube, just gotta find the right combo.

-Matt

____________________________________
Much love out to my Peeps

[1970cat]

if the engine compartment is empty , i am guessing that there is no radiator either. if this is the case you might want to jack the car up and crawl underneath it with a flashlight. have a helper work the latch while you observe with the flashlight what the problem is.

[thefirebirdm@n]

Yes the radiator is removed too. I actually did get into the engine compartment. I got through the hole in the hood for the shaker scoop. Once I was in there I took a flashlight and looked around but the hood is too far down on the release latch to see whats going on. I couldn't see anything more than when I was outside the car. I did try pushing the release lever with a screwdriver right at the joint at the base of the release latch but it didn't change anything.

I will try pushing it forward and backward. I did not think of that. Thanks!!!!

Jimmy
www.firebirdgallery.com
2002 WS6 M6 Trans Am
1970 RAIII Trans Am
1969 GTO

"If you own a Firebird, I'm interested in putting it on my site!!!"

[Gordy Doyle]

Was there anything blocking it on or near the core support when the hood was last closed?
Gordy

[thefirebirdm@n]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Was there anything blocking it on or near the core support when the hood was last closed? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

No, I had the hood off the car for a long time as well as the hood hinges. We moved and I had to transport the car to the new house so I bolted the hood hinges and hood back on and thwn when I went to try and open it is when I found it wasn't going to open again. I'm sure thats what caused it.

Jimmy
www.firebirdgallery.com
2002 WS6 M6 Trans Am
1970 RAIII Trans Am
1969 GTO

"If you own a Firebird, I'm interested in putting it on my site!!!"

[yankeeralph]

Have the same problem with my 78T/A. Almost like a safety catch. I just lightly push down on the hood and pull the hood latch handle again, then pull up lightly on the hood. It really is a hood latch alignment problem but mine is so straight that I do not want to chance another realignment. Hope this helps!

[superdutydave]

There remains one distant and remote possibility-Ur an idiot

[70lemanscov]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by thefirebirdm@n:
I actually did get into the engine compartment. I got through the hole in the hood for the shaker scoop. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


and skinny too

[thefirebirdm@n]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> There remains one distant and remote possibility-Ur an idiot <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Is that supposed to be funny? This is a real problem and apparently I'm not the only one whos had to deal with it. If you don't have anything constructive to add, don't bother jerk

Jimmy
www.firebirdgallery.com
2002 WS6 M6 Trans Am
1970 RAIII Trans Am
1969 GTO

"If you own a Firebird, I'm interested in putting it on my site!!!"

[78 GHOST]

Jimmy, try jacking the front end up so you can get to the latch from below and try to cycle the lock mechanism.

____________________________________
Much love out to my Peeps

[thefirebirdm@n]

b Thanks for all the help guys. I pulled hard on the front right corner while a buddy worked the catch and it finally popped off the latch!!

[dwainm]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by beetlejoose:
There remains one distant and remote possibility-Ur an idiot <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Ur a dork.