Adjusting hood latch

[Traveler]

The hood latch on my 71 releases cleanly but the hook doesn’t retract without extreme effort towards the end of the stroke, is there anyway to reduce the amount of pull required to move the hook clear?

[420ponies]

On my original, I used brake clean to get rid of the crud, then used Lucas penetrate oil and left it overnight. Then just worked it back and forth until it worked perfectly.  Of course, this was off the car when I worked on it. It finally gave in,  and bought a new one. I had to double spring the new one , to bring the hood up so I could lift it.

[1970mcss]

The double spring really does help pop the hood up

[Traveler]

Thought the spring was the issue but upon closer scrutiny I’ve concluded it may be the hook,

I used to work with an old Greek engineer he used to tell me ‘buy new dummy’.  Probably the answer!

[1970mcss]

I soaked my old latch in some rust remover, cleaned it up, lubed it up and added the second spring. But new works too

[Augie]

Howdy folk,

I'm having the same issue on my '71. I can pull the lever, but nothing happens, Started today when I pulled the car out of storage. So, when I pull the lever nothing happens. It doesn't even prop open to get the latch. Any idea on how I can get it open so I can check the latch being stuck??

[Dtret]

Pull the handle fully out and tap on the hood ( not hard so not to damage). If that doesn’t work get a plastic spatula from the kitchen and pull the handle and carefully pry it up.