grumpyvette
Well-known member
why spend $20-$30 or more?
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.948
your local hardware has 3 ft long 1/4"-5/16" steel rods for probably under $4
a few seconds with the shops oxy-acetolene torch and a vise (two mandatory tools in my opinion) results in a nice functional hood opening tool
sup: ask around if you don,t have those tools someone will, and you can even do this just fine with a propane torch and an old section of pipe to bend the heated rod in,
look at the picture its a 1/4"-5/16" " steel rod with two 90 degree bends, just not all that difficult to fabricate :laughing: I made my first one from 1/4" it worked but was WAY TOO flimsy, 5/16 is fine 3/8" is MUCH harder to use due to clearance issues. if you want to get fancy slip a 1/4"-5/16" WASHER ON THE HANDLE THEN 7" of blue fuel line , THEN A SECOND a 1/4"-5/16" WASHER ON THE HANDLE AND MIG THE WASHERS SOLIDLY IN PLACE
make one end about 1.1" the other about 8" yeah, not as nice but 100% as effective for under $7 and 10 minutes work
IT helps a good deal to have a friend with a C-4 that has a working hood to practice on first ,tell you when your pushing the latch lever as youll be in the doors opening and can,t see it as easily, but once you get the hang of it on a working hood latch yours is a snap
BTW make the two bends in the exact same plane,so the tool can lie flat it makes judging the tip angle far easier
instructions
http://content.madirect.com/pdf/609637.pdf
BTW drill a 1/4 DRAIN hole in the lower hood latch support bracket and oil/grease the hood release and cable very well, it tends to prevent problems that result from water sitting in the bracket
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette?frame=1.948
your local hardware has 3 ft long 1/4"-5/16" steel rods for probably under $4
a few seconds with the shops oxy-acetolene torch and a vise (two mandatory tools in my opinion) results in a nice functional hood opening tool
sup: ask around if you don,t have those tools someone will, and you can even do this just fine with a propane torch and an old section of pipe to bend the heated rod in,look at the picture its a 1/4"-5/16" " steel rod with two 90 degree bends, just not all that difficult to fabricate :laughing: I made my first one from 1/4" it worked but was WAY TOO flimsy, 5/16 is fine 3/8" is MUCH harder to use due to clearance issues. if you want to get fancy slip a 1/4"-5/16" WASHER ON THE HANDLE THEN 7" of blue fuel line , THEN A SECOND a 1/4"-5/16" WASHER ON THE HANDLE AND MIG THE WASHERS SOLIDLY IN PLACE
make one end about 1.1" the other about 8" yeah, not as nice but 100% as effective for under $7 and 10 minutes work
IT helps a good deal to have a friend with a C-4 that has a working hood to practice on first ,tell you when your pushing the latch lever as youll be in the doors opening and can,t see it as easily, but once you get the hang of it on a working hood latch yours is a snap
BTW make the two bends in the exact same plane,so the tool can lie flat it makes judging the tip angle far easier
instructions
http://content.madirect.com/pdf/609637.pdf
BTW drill a 1/4 DRAIN hole in the lower hood latch support bracket and oil/grease the hood release and cable very well, it tends to prevent problems that result from water sitting in the bracket
