1958 Hood Latch release question

gz

gz

Well-known member
Just got a barn fresh 1958 Fairlane. Tried to open the hood and the hood latch cable is completely missing-can't see any traces of it at all under the dash. Of course, the hood is completely closed. How can I activate the hood release now???? Thanks in advance! GZ
 
GZ
I haven't done this for a while, but here is the answer. Ford engineered a way to pop the hood when the cable broke on 57 and 58s . Look under the dash in the area where there is a vent that goes from the heater up to the windshield vent. Right there in the middle you will see a rubber plug. It is about two inches in diameter. Pop the plug out with a screw driver. Poke the screw driver in the hole and move the hood release from right to left and the hood will open.
Let us know how you make out.
Jay
 
I forgot to tell you. Dont force the hood open and don't drill a big hole in it like a good friend of mine did before he asked me how it is done. That was 40 years ago when they were plentiful. Forget about trying to do it from underneath the car if it has an engine in it.
Jay
 
Pamlico
That's right!!!
I forgot all about the radio getting in the way.
It still is not easy to crawl under there and reach around. I''m thinking about putting an auxiliary cable in the 57 I'm building.
 
Hi Jay I am new to this and I sent you an email but maybe by posting my question here also you or someone else may be able to help me. I just brought home a 1958 Edsel with a stuck hood. The release is present and seems to be attached but I am afraid if I pull too hard I will break something. Any advice for the Edsel or is it the same? Thanking you in advance for your time and trouble.
 
look thru the grill and see it you can see the release mechanism, if so spray some lub on it, also have some one push down on the hood at the rease mech while you pull on the release handle, spray some penetrating oil on the out side of the cable housing as far as you can see it, if its the wound wire type outer housing the oil will will soak thru and lube the inter pull wire
 
can you tell me I have s 57 ford fairlane and I cannot find the plug as stated under the dash is it behind the defroster .is there anything I have to remove to find the plug to release the hood
 
Going off fuzzy memory but I think the guy I bought my 58 from told me about access to that hole and at the time he said it was harder on the 57's that you might have to remove defroster duct. I never had a 57 and the 58 cable worked good so I have never personally looked.
 
From memory, the Ford shop manual says to raise the car and take a long stick or broom handle up from underneath the car between the firewall and the engine on the passenger side and manipulate the latch with the broom handle. You can see the end of the cable using a light. Push on the end to move the release mechanism toward the drivers side and viola...she opens.
 
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