The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1949 hood latch

I just bought a 1949 3/4 ton chevy pick up and now can't get the hood to open. I've tried the release on the right hand side, with no luck. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Try spraying some penetrant from the under side.

Try pushing down on the hood while pulling on the release. It's a 2 stage latch: first release with long handle on right then pull up on latch in the center. http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm1101.htm.

There was a post a while ago regarding this problem. They ended up pushing in or back towards the cab on the nose of the hood and also pushing it to the side.

I think your answer is in this 1948-1951 Chevrolet Truck Shop Service Manual.
Under Chassis Sheet Metal, chap 11, pages 3-4. Pay special attention to page 4, Lower Catch Plate:-adjustment-par 2.
You may have to take a small screwdriver or wedge thru the grill opening and push the
lock bolt one way or another while holding the latch in the open position.
Once you get it open you should make the adjustment outlined in the manual.
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm1103.htm
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/shop/1948_51truck/51ctsm1104.htm
If you can’t get the lower catch plate to center on the lock bolt then the upper catch plate
may be bent. I use a short length of threaded rod and a lock nut in the weld nut of the
upper plate and tap it back in alignment with a soft hammer, then you can adjust the
lower plate according to the manual.
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL