Can't get hood open

[new_red_67]

Well, I'm looking for another core support for my '67 Charger.  A "helpful" (now unemployed) person at the shop picked the front end up with the forklift to roll it out of the way to mow the grass.  He picked the car up by lifting at the bottom of the core support and now the hood is open about 2 inches, but jammed closed.  The radiator is also ruined, but I was going to replace it with a new one anyway.   

How do I get the jammed latch open without destroying anything else?  The hood itself is fine, with no buckling.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.   

Thanks, Herman

[new_red_67]

Anyone?

[cudaken]

 Is the grill in or out of the Charger? Never worked on a 67 Charger, but is there a lower vlances like a 69 or is it more like a 68 Runner?

Grill out and lower vlances like a 69, use a come along and pull the core out till the hood will unlock. If sort of open like a 68 Runner, from under the bumper reach up and unbolt the hood latch.

Cuda Ken

[new_red_67]

Hi Ken,

The grill is still in the car.  There is no lower valance at all.  The core support and radiator is bent upward as well as the topside of the core support. 

It looks like if I could pull straight down on the bottom of the core support, the hood latch may open.  Unless it were on a frame rack or frontend rack, I'm not sure how I'd get a straight downward pull.  Any ideas?

Anyone have a 67 Charger 26" core support for sale?   

Thanks, Herman

[andy74]

can you reach up with a pair of vise grips and grab the release?i had to do that on my charger when i first bought it,the jack ass i got it from put these shitty hood pins in the hood,and cut the relase cable about 2 inches from the latch-first thing i had to replace

[new_red_67]

Thanks Andy.  I'll give that a try.

Herman

[cudaken]

 Andy, this is a 66 Charger, no hood cable if that is what you mean. Hood is jam due to core support being bent.

Herman, unless I missed read you can still get to the latch from under the hood or grill right?

More than likely you will cut your arm up a little but should be able to get to the latch bolts with a 1/4 drive. If that does not work then it is a pry bar time.

                                   Cuda Ken

[new_red_67]

Thanks Ken,

I looked up under there with a strong flashlight just now, and as you say, I might be able to get on the bolts with a socket.  I'll give it a try tomorrow.

The aggravating thing about this whole situation is, the car has the original faded paint, zero dents and zero rust except one lower corner of the front and rear windshield; about 5/16" in dia.  I bought it that way on purpose - the 57 Firedome I'm restoring will require enough rust repair to last me a lifetime.

Thanks again, Herman

[cudaken]

 Glad I was of some help.
         

                                        Cuda Ken