Any tips? The latch lever is stuck and hood won't open. Seems like the bolts holding down assembly were not super tight and they worked loose and whole assembly moved up. Level has worked its way forward almost out of the grill..ughh

 

axidjw,

Dude, that's some bad news seeing how you just addressed your hood alignment issue.
Can you remove your grill inserts to access the latch assembly to release the hood on lucille? Then use a nylon lock nut, upon reassembly.

 

Ya that's no fun. Remove the inserts then you can get at it.

 

X2 on remove the inserts and remove the mount bolts unbolting the latch from the core support. I'd bet its probably going to be a PITA to get to them?

Be glad its not on fire...

 

Hey John, have you had any luck getting your hood open on Lucille

Unk Bob

 

I haven't messed with it this week. Been so busy at work. I have grill inserts off so I can get to latch more easily. Plans are to work on it Saturday morning. Let you know what I come up with..haha

 

Sounds like a plan, let me know if I can help anyway.

Unk Bob

 

thanks Bob, if I have to I'll put the torch to it and just order a new latch assembly..
Any problem can be fixed with the right tool

 

Well, finally got the latch undone. The whole assembly had trusted once I removed the bolts holding the latch mechanism to main core. I tried for a couple more hours but no dice..Took out the Dremel and 5 minutes later it was done..Lol

 

That shouldn't be a hard part to find in a salvage yard.

Unk Bob

 

D5UZ-16700-A (replaced D3TZ-16700-A) .. Hood Latch (non locking) / Obsolete ~ 153 available NOS (145 located in NC).

1973/79 F100/350; 1975/86 Econoline; 1978/79 Bronco.

 

I've got plenty of those if you need any

 

thank you sir, sent a pm..

 

For a while I was having to pull the release then give the top of the hood a swift and heavy hit with my fist. Then it'd pop open

 

yea, this all happened after I finally aligned my hood and got the gaps on. Didn't tighten down the hood latch assembly bolts good enough, have it a one food close and Bam!! It was a down deal. Tried probably for 5-6 hours trying to get it fixed but oh well..Lol