I just went to Wisconsin and picked up a 63 F100 unibody. When I was going all through it everything was good, or at least I knew what the problems were. But on the drive home, something has happened to the hood release, and I can't get the damn thing to open! The release moves, and has tention. I can even hear the spring inside, but just nothing! I only looked at it once, and didn't pay much attention since it worked fine. I have been searching all over online to find pictures or diagrams of how it operates, but not finding much that's helpful. Can any of you guys take some pics of your 61-65 Ford truck hood latch, that shows me how it operates? I'm going in almost blind, since I can only see what is on the outside right now.
I don't recall how that latch worked but I'm sure I opened a few working in a gas station. Maybe someone else can help.
Can you have someone pull on it while you hold the release out? The Hudson I just sold has a similar problem and I think the pin on it is off center in the hole, I'm going to try and see if I can pry it over with a screwdriver enough to get it to release.
the spring that pushes the hood up is probably broken. have you tried to pull up on the hood while holding the release? the one on my 63 did the same and it took me a while to get it open with a prybar and pulling the release.
Your 63 should be the same as my 62 . The release is in the grill reach in and pull it towards you and push up on the hood . There is a seceond safety latch you will have to release by reqaching between the hood and the upper valance oncce you get the main latch released . My uni is somewhat blocked in at the moment but if needed I can try to get a pick . The secondary latch is to the right of the main one as you look at the front of the truck. Rick
I have experience with these having built a few and also owning one. The latches wear out and can catch, or one of the release springs in the mechanism breaks and it's a bear to get them open. If you can, put a wedge between the hood and the upper grill valance and use some constant fiddling with the release handle until you pry it open. If it doesn't come apart you will have to do some disassembling.
Thanks for all the advise! I'll get a neighbor to help me tomorrow. I did notice that the hood seems to be favoring the drivers side, and it was not like that when I first got it and the couple of times that I popped the hood. maybe some bumps jarred it to the side. I'll try to shove it back in place while I'm at it.
Problem solved! After working and working on it, it was nothing that I expected. After lots of shoving, prying and cussing, I heard something small fall down out of the latch housing. I looked on the garage floor and a small rock was laying there. The damn thing must have lodged itself in there good. How the hell does that happen??? Oh well, all is good now!
My buddy and I snapped a few shots. More to come though. I hope this works, been forever since I've posted on here...
These are the pics from when the previous owner was selling it. It's got a 327 SBC 350 trans, 9" Ford, Mustang IFS and discs. The truck was completed about 15 years ago, but originally came from Nevada. It's showing a little age, but just what I wanted for a driver!
Looks sweet Stilmore . I have an Aluminum 63 Grill I would be willing to trade for that clean tailgate . That 64 Grill just looks wrong on a Uni . You can tell it was a western truck ( ours dont look nearly that good ) I have a 62 and a 63 and no tailgate between them LOL. Rick
Rick- the truck came with extra glass, and some other little parts, but no tailgate. This one has the best tailgate I've ever seen! I'm sure the guy who built it just used whatever grill he could find, but I would like to get a polished grill in it eventually! -Stilmore
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