Rusted up hood release, Hood stuck shut...

[78pontiac]

Ok this past week I went to work on my projects but before I started I went over and tried to shut the Pontiac's hood but it would not shut. So I started looking and the latch was flipped the wrong way so I flipped it and shut the hood. After that I went and was going to pull the hood release to see if it would open because it has always had problems but the hood release was out so I tried to push it in and nothing, it would not budge. So I am thinking that hood release is rusted up and now my hood is stuck shut lol. Ok does any one know of any tricks of popping the hood up or how to fix the hood release? I am thinking I could take the inner fender off and craw in there and pop it open?

Thanks for any help...

 

[pontiacgp]

the grill is installed with 4 bolts so I would remove that and blast the latch with a good penetrating oil, leave it overnite and see if it releases the next day.

 

[axisg]

^^ what he said. Also try banging the hood right over the latch while someone pulls and releases the cable repeatedly. If you moved the latch it's likely wedged shut against the latch

 

[Kansas Bu Wagon]

On my wagon I always had to smack the drivers side corner to get it to pop. Worked every damn time. lol.

 

[78pontiac]

well I took the inner fender out and now I am working on taking the fender off. what sizes is the rear bolts that is attached to the hood and fender?

 

[88hurstolds]

I had a cable break once.
I just unbolted the hood latch by getting a 13mm socket with extensions up in there from behind the grille area.
Wasn't too difficult to do.

 

[chevynut]

It happened to me too on my 79 Malibu. It is VERY simple on that car.
Take the grille off.
Look in the top center at the latch. Obviously.
The (2) 13mm bolts you are looking at are the latch adjustment bolts.
They are easily reached with a socket (flexible is best) and an extension. Remove them.
The hood will be free.

 

[78pontiac]

okay here is the center panel. I don't see any 13 millimeter bolts. But there is a bolt on each side of the panel.

 

[chevynut]

The 3rd and 4th pics show that your Pontiac latch/core support is different than my 79 Chevy.
I don't know what to say to help you now.

 

[t01blaze]

^^ what he said. Also try banging the hood right over the latch while someone pulls and releases the cable repeatedly. If you moved the latch it's likely wedged shut against the latch

This is exactly what I would do.