Hood does not open
 

Greetings to all! I'm James, I have a 1947 Ford and first of all I apologize for my poor English. I have a problem with the hood of my Ford. I can not unlock it, I pull the knob, it moves, but the bonnet does not unlock. It has a kind of bolt that with the hand runs and opens, but no.
Can somebody help me?
Thanks you!

Re: Hood does not open
 

Possibly a broken 'Bowden' cable.

Re: Hood does not open
 

If you have any gap between the hood and the upper grill sheet metal. You may be able to slip something really thin, (Slim jim, or hacksaw blade) into the gap just to the right of center and push toward the back and a little to the right. You might look up from beneath the car and see the cable where it attaches to the release to get some idea of where you need to apply pressure. Don't think you can do it from below tho, the release ear is pointing upward.

Re: Hood does not open
 

I keep a small wood wedge and a piece of 18 gauge sheetmetal about 1" wide and 12" long covered in tape for just this situation. Slip the wedge between the grill top and the hood on the passengers side, just enough to slide the sheetmetal in on the drivers side, to push on the release mechanism. With a flashlight you will be able to see the release mechanism. More than likely as Merc states the cable has broken or the ferrel has loosened or come off. When I had my car painted the body shop closed the hood without the cable installed and that is how I got it open.

Re: Hood does not open
 

A visual reference.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...7&d=1512768891

Re: Hood does not open
 

Picture from my '41 might help. A stout bread knife has a tip that is more square and less likely to bend.

Re: Hood does not open
 

I can hear it now. "Wife" what's my bread knife doing in the glove box? that's when it all started!

Re: Hood does not open
 

You can also have someone pushing down on the hood when you pull your hood release knob. It may help.

Re: Hood does not open
 

Post 6 shows another safety issue with the "ferrel". Not only to rely on the set screw but the cable is bent back to help secure it.

Re: Hood does not open
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=162418

Welcome James, read through the the thread above to see how you add an extra safety cable to prevent this problem in the future.

I looked at your album nice '47, who owns the 1941 Woody wagon in your pictures?

Re: Hood does not open
 

Welcome to the 'Barn. Good luck with opening your hood. Mike

Re: Hood does not open
 

James: Your English is better than a lot of folks on here. :D:D:D Lawson.

Re: Hood does not open
 

James your 47 is my 48s double.

All good advise here on how to overcome this problem....been there done that.

good luck
GB

Re: Hood does not open
 

I was finally able to open the hood, with your recommendations! Thank you all!!

Re: Hood does not open
 

Thank you Lawson!! I appreciate it

Re: Hood does not open
 

Yes it is! I was seeing your photos, that Ford is beautiful

Re: Hood does not open
 

I really do not know him. I took the photo in a workshop, where they were just fixing the dynamo. It's 1941, I suspect it's not original. It has a steering wheel on the right. And thanks for your words!

Re: Hood does not open
 

I installed a wire loop to the place where the cable from the dash attaches to the hood latch as a way to open the hood when the dash cable comes loose. The clip in the latch that secures the cable wire has been a longtime problem. Now, I fish out the loop if needed on my '47.