The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk How Can I Open My Hood?

This is about my 1953 3800. I've had the hood partially open for some time while I installed an alternator and fuel pump. The latch used to work.

Somehow it got closed all the way and the release lever doesn't appear to have any effect.

Does anyone have any suggestions for getting it open without using a crowbar? (The crowbar was my wife's first suggestion.)

Try pushing down on the front of the hood while you work the latch. Your situation was not unusual in the past. The hood and latch need adjusting- mostly the hood.

Harvester

When I open the hood on my truck I have to use my fingers or actually push up with one hand while pulling on the release lever.

Thanks. I'll give those suggestions a try.

Can Opener????

Unfortunately this is not an easy one to solve. It takes lot's of struggle and ingenuity to fix. I have had a few trucks do this to me. It can be caused by something as simple as bumping the front fender causing the hood/fender to go out of alignment. It might take two people to get it open, one releasing the latch and the other jiggling the hood. You may have to lift up on the grill and push down the hood while someone is releasing the latch etc.

As you may know, there is a large shaft that has a spring on it that passed through the release catch. The large shaft can be adjusted when opened and I think I may have been able to get a large screwdriver inside the grille area and turn it enough to allow me to open it, but that was many years ago and there is lot's of gray matter loss in that time.

They must make can openers bigger where you live. ;}

Well, my wife was right, as always.

It appears that the frame is a little torqued because of the flat front tire, and the general slope of the yard.

First we tried putting some pressure on the passenger's side of the hood, while she operated the 'spoon', which is what I call the secondary latch. No joy.

Finally I steeled myself and inserted the crowbar in the passenger's side of the hood, where we had been able to open a small gap.

With a small amount of pressure toward the driver's side, the 'spoon' finally released. There are two spots I will have to repaint, but no dents.

The lever that I had been playing with was the primary latch, and was not connected.

So, all you people who are having problems with wives and trucks might want to consider getting them involved in your projects. They're clever little devils, and I am sure that most won't try and take over the manly parts from you.

you guys take way to long to open that hood , use what us firemen use , just go to your nearest fire station, and ask for the... JAWS.......? works every time

Have you got a stash of spare hoods and fenders? I understand that the JAWS are not recommended by body shops. ;}

You do mean a hot wrench don'tcha?

~Trev

I thought JAWS were good for business...

I've removed the hood latch on one of mine that seems to always stick. Until I'm ready to drive it the latch doesn't matter.