'50 Ford hood release question
 

On my avatar when I pull on the hood release cable the hood won't pop up and I must use my emergency hood release. When the hood is open I can see the cable mechanism is working fine. Is there an adjustment that can be made to the spring that makes the hood pop up?

Thank you!!

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

Are you saying that the latch is not releasing to let the hood pop up?
Even though the cable mechanism is working it may not be pulling the latch far enough to open.
Suggest you give your attention to the location of the locking sleeve on the cable and possibly move it further towards the handle end of the cable.
There is not any reason to use an emergency release unless the hood latch is not releasing.

Unless the hood lift spring is broken, there is not any adjustment to be made to it.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

The spring is adjustable in length. There should be slot in the part that goes into the locking mechanism that you can turn with a screwdriver. Can't remember if there is a locking nut on the other end of it but I seem to remember one.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

Thank you both for the suggestions. I will check those things out this evening.........

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

The ability to lengthen or shorten the hood 'spear' has nothing to do with the spring.
The 'spear' adjustment determines at what position the hood latches relative to the fender line and upper grille to keep them in proper alignment with each other.
If you change the length of the 'spear' you will change the location of the hood when latched and if you make it too short you won't be able to close the hood.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

As previously stated, unless you want to alter the position of the hood, DON'T mess with the length of the latch spear.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

Thank you for the heads up. I know that adjusts the hood height position. Right now I need to use the emergency release with one hand and with the other hand lift up on the hood to release the safety latch. The hood just isn't popping up to the safety latch position when pulling the release cable inside the car.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

Possibly the spring is defective and needs to be replaced.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

I would have someone pull the inside release handle and hold it while you try to raise the hood. If it comes up for you, it's the spring, if it doesn't, it's the locking sleeve not being positioned right.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

Yes I agree. If someone holds it and I get my fingers under the hood it will come up to the safety latch position. I will do a search to find a new spring.

Thank you!!

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

Thank you!! I will look for a new spring.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

when I was a kid, we used to stretch those springs, it helped some, but is not what I would call a real repair.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

My 48 hood kept popping all the time when on the road. It was a weak spring. I compensated by getting a "helper" spring from the hardware attaching it to the latch and stretching it to a bolt in the plate that contains the latch.

GB

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

FWIW, when I had my ‘50, the hood popped completely open on the highway and folded back over the windshield. I don’t know if it was from worn springs, but was definitely more excitement than I needed!

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

Ya' because of a worn or broken safety latch spring but not a worn hood popper spring.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

I had the same problem with my '50. I removed the "spear" and put a length of heavier spring inside the larger factory spring. The additional spring just needs to fit over the "spear". With the additional spring you will need to push the hood down to catch. You may need to adjust the "spear" after you put in additional spring. Now my hood release works great.

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

I don't know how changing the length of the spear will change hood alignment. My '50 sets on rubber bumpers and can't go down but so far!

Re: '50 Ford hood release question
 

If the spear is too long the hood will be higher than the level of the fenders and present a larger gap at the top of the grille. (try it and see)
And if you want to lower the hood to match the fenders the spear is shortened.
The rubber bumpers are exactly that, a bumper that is meant to be a buffer between metal parts. They are not meant to solely align the hood.

If the bumpers are preventing the hood from aligning, then the bumpers are too thick and common practice is to shave them to allow proper fit, or get different bumpers.
.