I'm in a bit of a pickle . I have a 71 Z , and the hood latch cable broke at the latch itself . I would like any suggestion short of cutting metal . I have removed the starter to gain some room on the pass side and am in the prossess of removing the exhaust pipe from the header to gain more on the drivers side . Can't say I'm very good at using a puter , so I thank you all for your patience . Wouldn't mind some tech drawings or photos to help me see what I can't . Like I said , I,m new at this computer stuff . My nephew just got me hooked on to the intertube and I feel old . Thanks !

I had the same only I was lucky that the latch had released , as the cable broke.

Have a look at this. Click on the link.

.http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?34026-hood-wont-open&highlight=broken+hood+cable

Good luck.

Oh, and I got a complete cable from Motorsport Auto. Great service.

Edited December 28, 201113 yr by olzed

Get it up on a lift. Go up from the driver's side underneath. Find a suitable pry device to pry the back side of the lever where the cable attaches. I just did it.....no problem! It helps if someone puts downward pressure on the hood above the latch (relieves pressure on latch).

I'm surprised Dave ( z'sondabrain ) hasn't invented such a device......he could literally sell 500 of the bastards and they would be a cinch to manufacture! I'll take four Dave.

Edited December 28, 201113 yr by Diseazd

I had the same problem on my 73 last spring. Don't panic, just put the car up on jack stands and reach around the engine/ bell housing from the passenger side and you can feel around and find the release. Once you get your fingers inside the release bracket you can push the lever towards the drivers side and pop the hood, no tools required.

Then go to a bike or motorcycle shop and buy a new cable end that attaches with a set screw, cut the jacket back an inch or so and re attach your cable. You're done.

JEEP

I have a couple extra hood cables. They attach a bit differently. I can send you one. I will take a pic to show you the different attaching points. Let me know.

I am in need of a hood release cable. mine broke a few days ago on my 73, snapped in two a couple of inches from the end that attaches to the latch. I've already opened the hood from underneath the car. a quick fix would be fine for now until i can afford a new one.

Lawn mower shop is where I got my cable, works great!! Got the link on end at auto parts store.

My original one was a jacked up PO repair, so I replaced it and at the same added another wire to the release and ran it inside the cab and hide it under the dash with small wood handle just in case the original breaks.

I was working on a guys car and it had several extra wires running around the engine bay from various PO's attempts to run stereo's, fog lights, you know, the usual crap. My mission? To remove all traces of this stuff.

I was literally pulling wires out left and right cleaning this mess up when I found about a long 14 gauge light blue wire on the drivers side coiled up nice and neat underneath the brake booster area. Followed it back to the firewall where it lead into the hood release bracket. Assuming it went through the firewall in there, I was tugging at it trying to pull it out. Not budging. Finally I noticed it was operating the hood latch! Some PO had looped it around the latch arm, then more or less horizontally over to the master cylinder body, then over and down behind it, leaving a nice rolled up couple of feet hanging just above the frame rail. Tug that from underneath and it opens the hood simple as anything. Not exactly a nice tucked job, but fully functional.

I used some heavy duty picture frame wire and ran it on the back of the wiring holders at the top of the firewall then thru the firewall to left side of the column, cut off most of the excess and put a small wooden dowel handle on it. It works and that's all I wanted.