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Hello. I’m desperate here and can’t find an answer anywhere.
I have a 1970 Cutlass W31 that I inherited from my father and was his baby. It has the hood release and latch on the front and two pins on either side. They are spring loaded so when you turn/release it pops up.
Well one does not pop up and is stuck. I’m guessing the spring got stuck on the surrounding.
I’ve wiggled, jiggled and cursed 100x over. I can’t figure out how to access it from another way.
Any other recommendations?
desperate in Detroit
Last edited by Wessidetempest; Oct 1, 2019 at 10:17 AM.
Reason: Spelling error
Some have used a pliers (with padding) to forcibly tun the Hood Pin and bend the retainer pin. You can then open the hood, remove the Hood Pin and replace the retainer, making sure ti can't move this time!
There may be alternate solutions, which others will chime in with.
Common failure of the pin dislodging. There has been discussion of this problem before here. I tried searching the forum but no luck. Be patient, someone will chime in.
Nice car BTW
Ugghhhh I feared that was the only way to open. Which I did. And hood is up.
Thanks everyone for the help and being patient with the newbie.
I’m not sure if I’d trust the hole that held the pin as it looks compromised from forcing it open.
Looks like I’ll be replacing it.
congratulations on inheriting one bad *** machine, the hood pins can be tricky good luck, you've come to the right place for guidance, members here are more than helpful, welcome!
Congratulations on getting the hood open. That has to feel better.
The paint on your car looks amazing. Post a full picture of the car for us to Oooh and Aaah over!
It may be an artifact of the photo angle, but there does not appear to be a scuff plate below the hood pin. I've had two original W-25 hoods and both had stainless steel plates glued on the fiberglass below the hood pin.
Edit added after a closer look: I see there may be a painted scuff plate under the pin.
The retainer pin has shifted on the pin itself. It's a major pain to try and push that pin back. You can try to twist the hood pin, but there isn't really an easy solution. Can you get to the pin from underneath?
It is possible. I don't ever remember seeing a plate between the hood latch and the actual hood. The new ones did come with a scuff plate.
Now I am trying to figure out best method of getting the in and out.
No can't access it from anywhere. I tried that first. Behind the light, etc. There is some sort of metal lip that attaches above the radiator that goes over the front of the car. If that wasn't there you may be able to access. But in reality even if that is gone I am not sure you'd be able to reach it and then have enough leverage to turn it the way it needs to go.
