Any tricks to open stubborn hood?

[Los_Control]

It is starting to warm up, snow is melting and time to get back to work.

This 51 suburban I have not been able to open the hood, feels as if the hood release handle is bent.

I only assume and do not know, Handle is pulled towards you to release?  When I do this, it runs into grill metal before it releases.

Seems like I will need to bend the handle back in such a way that I can get more movement on it, but need to confirm that I should pull and not push the handle.

A quick look at it, I do not think I can remove the grill to get to the core support without the hood open. Thought I would ask the experts what they have done in the past to overcome this issue.

Sadly the car will be parted out, but trying to not destroy the front body in the process. There is to much rust in the floor boards, try advertising it cheap and nobody even called to negotiate a even lower price. Just zero interest in it, and to please code enforcement, it needs to go.

A picture of the passenger side floor, drivers side is worse. Is easier to open the passenger door and get it closed again, just no support on the A pillars.

[suntennis]

To release the hood, the handle has to be pushed towards the radiator or towards the engine. You might also try pushing down on the hood at the same time you are pushing the hood lever.

[Los_Control]

Thank you verry much for that. I was not sure and been trying to pull on it.

But have also tried to push, with the bent and weakened handle, I may need to get creative.

At least I know which way to go. Feel confident I can get it open. Had a similar issue on a old chebby. Seems like there is 2 rivets that hold the handle, and only dangling by one.

Just when you think it will break, you pull harder and it will release. But took a couple months to get the hood open, was worried it would break off.

I have a stick lying on the core support now, so the hood can not close again.

Even a modern 1977 ford F250 I am working on, I had to pull the grill to get the hood release lever oiled and enough clearance / movement for the hood to open.

Let these things sit for a few years, they just dont want to be disturbed.

Thanks again!

[dale]

I had this problem and was able to reach up from underneath the car and release the catch.