1977 350 SLC Hood(bonnet) Release

[Ed Maddock]

I had the battery out of my car as she was in storage for the winter. However, The owned of the garage has sold it so I needed to move my car and accumulated junk to another one. Got the junk moved ok but when I puller the release lever beside/under the steering wheel it seemed to work ok however when I tried to release catch in the star emblem nothing happened.

I don't fancy damaging the bonnet(hood) trying to fix it so any help, advice or solutions greatly appreciated.
The weather is expected to come down to -8-10C within the next 24 hours so I need to move on it ASAP.

Best regards

Ed Maddock
St. Petersburg, Russia

If I understand correctly. the cable has released the hood lock and you are having trouble releasing the hook that is accessed through the star in the grill?

I often times too have trouble finding that hook release. Make sure the cable has been pulled out far enough, if not, pull the cable lever out as you would normally and with plyers grab hold of the cable wire and pull out more. At the same time, have someone lift the hood then release the hook latch.

Sounds like things are a little rusty, or dry of lube, and maybe the cable has stretched, thus the need to use plyers to pull the cable the extra distance to un-latch.

Good luck, and don't freeze your fingers off! BB

[Ed Maddock]

Busy Benz, thanks for your comments. You are right the cables were never lubricated (to my knowledge). I tried what you suggested i.e pulled the hand lever on the side and tried to insert a needle top pliers in to grip the cable but there is not enough cable exposed to get a grip.
Maybe two options:
1. Take off the panels surrounding the cable release (this will be a problem as the car is parked close to a wall on the drivers side.
2. Is there any way of going in through the grill to release the cable at the front.

Again, very much appreciate your help.

Regards
Ed Maddock
St. Petersburg, Russia

[kip Foss]

Ed,

I have 2 slc parts cars and have looked closely as to how to get to the hood latch when the hood is closed and the result doesn't look good. I just can't see how one could snag the hood release through the grill.

If, when you pull the cable inside the car, you feel no sense of resistance then I think you have broken off the cable at the latch, in which case I think you are, as they say in the classics, screwed.

If the handle moves freely the cable may have broken at the handle inside the car. In this case you should be able to grab the end with vice grips and open the hood.