how to open the hood without a hood release cable

[OUTFXD]

so i finally happened.  the hood release cable got free and shorted against the battery and got burned in half.  so I ordered a new cable and let the hood down to the safety release.  

 

The cable came in.  I went out to the car and sure enough, the hood was entirely closed.  I messed with it a bit but there doesnt seem to be an easy way to pop the hood with the release being enitirely enclosed between the hood, the radiator, the grill, splash gaurd, and the inner fenders.

 

Does anyone have tips/advice  on how to get her hood open again?

 

ps 1946 Plymouth Special Deluxe

 

[Happy 46R]

Hello OUTFXD,

I have a 46 Dodge Special Deluxe but a Canadian Model. I just went out and got a picture in hopes it helps. I am not sure your release set up would be the same as mine but it is all I can offer.

I can only think of two options as accessing the catch from below appears impossible. The photo orientation is the square hole is to the front of the grille. On the right side of the photo is the connection of the cable to the mechanism. If you have a small gap between the hood and the grille you may be able to insert a thin piece of steel, (Metal Ruler) and push the knob back towards the firewall at the appropriate angle. You would have to be right of the secondary latch and angled slightly from left to right to get the proper directional push. The connection between the catch and the wire is slightly recessed with a raised lip around it so you may have to bend the front edge of the flat bar down a bit. This idea only works if there is a bit of room between hood and grille.

The second option would be to create an L shaped piece of perhaps 1/4 or 3/8" round stock or ready rod with enough length to reach through the grille and up the hole of the mechanism from below. I am not sure you could get enough purchase on the round stock to push that mechanism back but you never know. Both of these require steady hands and patience, neither of which I have.

Best I can come up with and good luck. Dave

[greg g]

I have a long screw driver.  Bent it with a torch.it engages latch as shown above.  It can also where cable is clamped to the assembly.  It worked better when I was 56 as opposed to 76 as  getting on the ground comes into play.  

Edited November 7 by greg g

[Plymouthy Adams]

I am not so sure I can help you except to say it can be done...while my hood was open and foreseeing such an event you describe....I made a special shaped metal rod to g between the grill slats, rotate a few degrees and catch against the lever and with a bit of a push you can get it to pop up....you can make similar just by looking between the slats and getting an image of the under side of the latch 

[Sam Buchanan]

Because I was concerned with the cable failing and leaving me with the aggravation you are experiencing, I installed an emergency cable that works independently of the standard cable. I goes through the left fender liner, I can pull it by reaching up and forward of the front wheel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Boring Phil]

4 hours ago, Sam Buchanan said:

Because I was concerned with the cable failing and leaving me with the aggravation you are experiencing, I installed an emergency cable that works independently of the standard cable. I goes through the left fender liner, I can pull it by reaching up and forward of the front wheel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Boring Phil]

The secondary "emergency cable" setup you did is a VERY GOOD creation  sometimes called a "preventative measure" I have often questioned both the pull knob and cable wire friction on my 1942 release cable. As has been said, access to the release mechanism is nearly impossible if things go south!  Well done!