I have a 91 firebird 305 tbi, i have a stock hood on it and the hydrolics are shot, now when i pull the hood release it doesn't come up. You have to use a lot of force to pull to get it so you can release the latch. Is that because of the hydrolics, or because the latch or something isn't right?

 

It's probably the latch, or the spring that pushes the hood up. The hood on my 91 does the same thing, but the struts work fine. Take the latch off and clean it up really well, then lube it up and I'll bet it will work a lot better.

 

You shouldn't have to remove the latch. Just spray the latch down with engine degreaser or simple green, something to that effect, or hit it with the pressure washer. The usual problem is that somewhere along the lines someone used grease to lubricate the latch. The grease collects dust and grit till it gets jammed up. Remove the grease and dust and oil with a little engine oil and it should be fine. Keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn't get gritty again.

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Drew
predatorman@hotmail.com
83 Camaro 5.0L *1995-98*
87 Iroc 5.7L
91 Formula 5.7L 14.3@98mph
91 RS Convertible 5.0L
91 Firebird 3.1L 17.00@82mph *Gtech*
92 S10 2.8L
98 Grand Am GT 3100
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You're totally right, Drew (as if there was any doubt). I found it easier to remove it since I had A LOT of gunk built up in mine. I took it off and soaked it in deagreaser and scrubbed it clean. Then I gave it a healthy spray of WD-40 and put it back on. It works much better now.

 

I had the same problem on my 89 Formula 350 but mine got to the point where cleaning it didn't help. I found on another forum board a suggestion and it worked just fine for me. My cable had stretched so I took the cable off of the latch and soldered a splitshot sinker on to the cable just b4 the stop. If you have alot of play in the lever inside eventually you might have to do that or replace the cable.

 

nah, Fonz move works....


left hand on hood corner by left headlight, ,slight hit with bottom on fist on the right side hood near center, hood pops open, turn, touch leather coat, "eeeehhhhh"

lol, ,hydraulics just hold up your hood for you, its the release that locks it up

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91 FireBird 305 V-8
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