first project nightmare!
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first project nightmare!
well I finally got my 78 F-100 yesterday! It ahs taken me almost a year to be able to pull it out of the woods at its originall location and here to my house. On the way here we had 2 blow outs on the trailer. Got to wal-mart to get a new tire in the hood. Well me not being the one to exactly practice tact or really have any kind of filter on my mouth almost tangled up with some gang bangers. Finally got to my house almost at dark and the truck we pulled with got stuck in my yard! Well with 4 flat tires and just 2 of us to pull the truck off the trailer in soft ground, one of the ramps twisted out and the front end fell off the trailer leaving a small problem for the rest of the day. Well after my neightbor but 6" ruts in my yard we finally got everything pulled out and off and now its time to start stripping the truck down. Now heres the next problem, there is no latch for the hoo to open it and I do believe it is rusted shut. Any suggestions?
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Joined: Mar 2010
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From: western ks
lol..know just what ya mean . I am always dragging something like that out of a grove of trees somewhere and it never goes as planned.. If ya look you'll likley see the stub of the hood latch handle where some moron has broke it off. they bend the **** out of them instead of keeping them lubed so they work right then they break off. You may be able to get hold of that stub with a pair of pliers and get it open.. otherwise like the other guy said go through the grill and remove and replace latch..
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Im in ht emiddle of really bad weather for a little bit but when its all over I am going to go out there and lube it all down and start there. I am hoping to have the motor and tranny out by next weekend. Id really like to have it running mechanically in the next month is my goal. But the truth is, this is my first ever project and really dont have any experience/knowledge. But I do have help from my more experienced/knowledgable brother LOL!
More Turbo
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From: Liberty Hill, Tx
lol..know just what ya mean . I am always dragging something like that out of a grove of trees somewhere and it never goes as planned.. If ya look you'll likley see the stub of the hood latch handle where some moron has broke it off. they bend the **** out of them instead of keeping them lubed so they work right then they break off. You may be able to get hold of that stub with a pair of pliers and get it open.. otherwise like the other guy said go through the grill and remove and replace latch..
More Turbo
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From: Liberty Hill, Tx
Directly under the hood inside the grilled, front and center of hood
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From: Norton, MA
There is no button/handle/switch inside the cab like on a newer car. Go to the front of the truck, very middle of the grille, very top, slightly to the left of the centerline, reach your hand in palm up, and curl your fingers toward yourself. There should be a handle there. Pull it towards you until it won't go any further, and if it doesn't pop then, give the hood a good pound right near the latch area.
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From: Rockport, IN
This is the procedure I've had to use on pretty much every dentside I've owned. Pull the latch with the left hand and then bang the hood with the right hand. Works every time.
BTW, I have seen dentsides with latch release mechanisms inside the cab, but they were aftermarket set ups.
BTW, I have seen dentsides with latch release mechanisms inside the cab, but they were aftermarket set ups.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: southwest pa
this sounds like an aweful tall order to be pulling a truck out of the woods if you had to ask how to open the hood. how bad is the body? what part of the country are you in? this just sounds like a big job for a noob
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From: Tualatin OR
This is the procedure I've had to use on pretty much every dentside I've owned. Pull the latch with the left hand and then bang the hood with the right hand. Works every time.
BTW, I have seen dentsides with latch release mechanisms inside the cab, but they were aftermarket set ups.
BTW, I have seen dentsides with latch release mechanisms inside the cab, but they were aftermarket set ups.
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I am a metal fabricator and welder by trade and have had a little body work experience. I have done basic stuff when it comes to motor work but its all basic stuff. I also to hav help of some very experienced and talented guys around me that are All excited to help me out (they are my brothers I would hope they would be!) but I do agree. It is a tall order. I am sure I will be asking a million questions to you guys along the way for help and advice and if anybody knows where certain parts are. Ill also keep all of you informed on how everything is going.
Also the over all condition of the truck is rusted out pretty good. It will be a tedious task but I think I can handle it. The truck itself was my wifes Paw-paw and he took good care of the truck. It has been sitting up for a long time and thats where the rust came form. The engine ran great before it was put behind the house to get in its current state. I think I can handle it but I am a little nervous that I am biting off more than I can chew!
Also the over all condition of the truck is rusted out pretty good. It will be a tedious task but I think I can handle it. The truck itself was my wifes Paw-paw and he took good care of the truck. It has been sitting up for a long time and thats where the rust came form. The engine ran great before it was put behind the house to get in its current state. I think I can handle it but I am a little nervous that I am biting off more than I can chew!
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