Howdy, Stranger!

It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!

In this Discussion

51 hood latch
  • NatinwebisNatinwebis
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    I need help please. The cable for my hood latch broke and I can't figure out how to get my hood open. I am sure it is an easy fix since I can't seem to figure it out. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks frank
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,574Platinum Member
    I have been able to get my hand up thru the grill and grab the cable housing and pull it. If you look up in front of radiator to right side you will see the cable housing. If your lucky you can pull it enough to move it in its clamp on the hood release latch and it may open. Worked for me,
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • NatinwebisNatinwebis
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    Thanks Roger
  • HudzillaHudzilla
    Posts: 1,285Platinum Member
    This is a fairly common problem with older hood release cables. When you do get it open ,get a clothes hanger and cut and bend it onto the latch as a backup mechanism that will release the hood from outside the car. Saves a lot of hassle
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,574Platinum Member
    Very good idea , plenty of room in the grill to do that,
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • walts garage-53
    Posts: 1,470Platinum Member
    Get the new hood cable from Jason at Albright and you will never need another one. It's a heavy cable. Walt.
  • shadetree
    Posts: 23Greasemonkey
    reaching thru grill with pocket flat blade screw driver,center and behind probe mounted to hood, push screw driver in to small slot. when in slot push to side either direction, this releases hood same as cable pull. with a little practice this as quick as pulling cable release in side Hudson. arm thru grill may be a problem on some models but not on 51 up stepdowns. hope this helps melvin
  • NatinwebisNatinwebis
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    Walt do you have contact info for jason at Albright? Thanks Frank.
  • DocHornetDocHornet
    Posts: 146Expert Adviser
    My hood release required way too much pull to open. I just went down to NAPA, bought a universal teflon lined cable and installed. Man, it opens like butter now (and much less chance of breakage!)
  • Tallent RTallent R
    Posts: 1,574Platinum Member
    Most guys never think to oil those old cables .They need oil dripped on them every now and then along the full length,
    Roger
    Retired Tech.
  • Richard E.Richard E.
    Posts: 767Platinum Member
    You can buy these at any auto parts store, you just cut to length, they are cheap. Jason is at Vintage Coach in Fontana, CA. Look on the web, it is Bill Albright's old place, Jason is his grandson.
  • NatinwebisNatinwebis
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    Thanks everyone for the help. Frank
  • shadetree
    Posts: 23Greasemonkey
    HI FRANK DID YOU GET IT OPEN ? I'VE HAD A HUDSON SINCE 16 YRS OLD AND STILL HAVE A 51 HORNET AT 82 . WHEN YOU GET THAT HOOD UP, CHECK THAT OPERATING PLATE AND YOU WILL SEE THE SLOT BIG ENOUGH FOR SCREW DRIVER AND THE MOVEMENT OF THE LEVER THAT CABLE PULLS WHEN PRYED WITH POCKET SCREW DRIVER. MELVIN