rpmooreii

Happy Memorial Day!

I have a problem with the fron hood latch on my '73 911 and after hours of trying to get it free, I am at a complete loss. I am hoping one of the experts can shed a bit of light on the problem.

The problem:

I can not get the front hood to release. Pulling the T handle doe snot release the spring loaded male portion that sits down in the hole in the body. Note that the release cable is intact

Background:

I have had this problem to a lesser degree for some time but was always able to get the hood to release by gently pulling the hood to the side. In an attempt to fix this problem I (erroniously) thought that by shortening the male portion that locks the hood down, it would pop out easier when the hod release lever was pulled. Unfortunately, now there is NO" room to even get ones fingers under the lip of the hood. It appears the the male portion (plunger) is not releasing when the lever is pulled. The release cable is intact and when pulled does move the catch away from the plunger. I tested this numerous times before shutting the lid again.

I have seen the posts that state a hole must be drilled after removing the bumper but I REALLY don't want to drill any holes if I don;t have to.

How do I get the hood the release??

Any hep would be appreciated as I have been struggling with this for a couple of hours and it is ruining my Memorial Day holiday )

Thanks,

...Roger

Roger Moore
rpmooreii@yahoo.com

whalebird

This may be a 2-man job. It may help to have a helper pull on the latch-handle while you gently depress the hood, or manipulate it as you have. Try pulling the latch in varying degrees. In other words, work the hood as you have, and release the handle a bit, repeat. I would discourage the compulsion to yank harder and harder on the latch handle. Sometimes a little finesse goes a long way.

rpmooreii

thanks... but I have been trying to finesse w/ two people (one pulling the release while I gently manipulate the hood) all afternoon to no avail. I just went for a drive over some uneven surfaces while pulling the lever also to no avail.

I am at a total lost and as I stupldly shortened the plunger there is no play to insert anything. Is the hood doomed to never opening again??

rpmooreii

Does anybody know of somebody in southwester Montana (near Bozeman or Big Sky) that could help me out?

Thx,

...Roger

whalebird

This is a tough one. Is there any possibillity of getting a thin piece of metal under there to "manipulate" the plunger - a "slim-jim" of sorts?
When this drama is resolved, please post some pics of your car. I'm a huge "early car" fan and love them all. I speak for many on this thread as well.

rpmooreii

I have tried that as well; a thin piece of metal but have not had success so far. Of course the narrow gap requires a very thin piece of metal which consequently does not have much rigidity. I think I need to find somebody to help as it doe snot look like I will be able to get this done myself.

No probs on pics. This car was purchase new by my dad in Dec 72 and has always been in the family. 90K orig miles and every single reg slip, maintenace receipt, etc. I even have the orig window sticker, all the manuals and tools. I am proud to say I drove this car to my HS prom in 1979!

...Roger

whalebird

Targa? coupe? T'E' or S? Any modifications? Color? I can't help my curiosity. Sounds like a special car and it may be wise to get a qualified mechanic/Porsche shop to look at it.

ivangene

agreed - its been in the family since new? dont try too hard, get some pro help....better safe than sorry

rpmooreii

'73 T with appearance group. It was originally silver but the two stage paint in 73 had issues (crazing of the the clear) so it was repainted petrol blue in 1985. My Dad had an Ansa exhaust installed around the same time; everything else is original.

My problem is further amplified because there are no Porsche mechanics within two hours of my home, let alone anybody who knows anything about old 911s. If I still lived in Santa Barbara I would bring it to Joe Schneider (of Schneider Autohaus) but our here in the boonies there are no Porsche mechanics let alone somebody who knows anything about old 911s.

...R