Hot Rods 1940 Ford Deluxe hood latch help needed!

When i last closed my hood it seems the whole hood had shifted forward 3/8-1/2". It did latch tho upon remembering it was harder to close the latch down

Any suggestions on how to unlatch it? I can not get the main latch to lift. Tried to look between the grill bars but dont really know what to look for to try and get it to release, plus i have a sheet metal air deflector covering the latch area.

 

It sounds like something loosened up at the hinges. I assume they are the stock hinges? Can you put a little pressure with your hand pushing the hood back a bit and try to unlatch it at the same time?

 

Tried pushing the hood back, no luck.
Could anyone with a 40 Deluxe post a picture with the hood open of the inside of the hood showing the latching mechanisms and also of the area in front of the radiator where the latch engages? It might help me understand what i should be looking for or trying to jimmy.

 

Even if you have the air deflector you should be able to peer up from the ground behind the grille with a light perhaps and see the hook that catches and holds the hood down. Can't remember if the DeLuxe has a secondary (safety) catch like my Standard does or not. It is released by pushing in a pin as you lift up the latch itself.

 

Here's the secondary hood release pin on my Standard. Do the DeLuxe hood release handles have them as well?

 

Deluxes have the same safety latch. If you can look up from the bottom of the grille, you may be able to reach the part of the latch that actually holds the hood closed. There is a safety that won't let it open without the handle coming up though. All of that part is up in the hood, may be nearly impossible to reach.

 

here are a couple of pictures. The mechanism won't release unless the handle can be lifted or the linkage to it disconnected.

 

Here is a picture of the assembly and some drawings from the Bob Drake Catalog. You may be able to get to the latch by removing the chin pan to radiator cover and reaching up to the latch with some sort of hand fabricated rod/tool. Good Luck

 

Got her all fixed up and working smooth as butter.

The secondary latch wasn't releasing, the small bumper that it is pressed against had gone missing.

 

Thanks for getting back and let us know how it turned out. Means a lot. Not everyone takes the time to do that.