TR6 TR6 Help needed

[GilsTR]

We are looking at a Chrome bumper TR6 project car. All who knew anything about the car have died. The problem we have is that somehow the hood release got broken...thus we cannot lift the hood and inspect the engine. Can any of you help us figure out how to open a closed hood...without cutting a hole?
Thanks Gil NoCal

 

[Andrew Mace]

Hopefully you'll get lots of good answers to this. Some manage to get in from underneath the car using a broomstick or long screwdriver, others have done it by removing the glovebox and getting at the latch through a grommet hole in the firewall...and I'm sure there are any number of other methods. Good luck; it's an all-too-common problem that occasionally just doesn't go well at all and tends to really ruin your day.... :frown:

 

[DNK]

Is that what killed .
Almost did me

 

[TR3driver]

Not sure if it would apply to the TR6, but the factory procedure for the Stag (when the latch cable broke) was to drill a 1" hole in the RH inner fender and insert a long rod to push on the latch. Afterwards, install a standard 1" body plug in the hole.

Oddly enough, when it happened to me, I found a plug already in that location :laugh:

 

[justin_mercier]

It's these exact reasons that I'm not going to depend on the old prone to rusting out cable anymore when my 6 goes back together, but instead a pull rod (like some people use as a backup)

I know it is possible to get at it from underneath, but that it may involve removing the starter to have enough maneuverability to get to the latch. I've seen several 6s with holes in the inner fender for this.

 

[Gliderman8]

I agree with Justin.... the very FIRST thing I did when rebuilding my 6 was to install Macy's kit to open the hood from the pasenger compartment.
With that said, I too have heard of removing the glovebox and bending a wire hanger in order to release the hood mechanism.
If I remember correctly Buckeye Triumph had instructions posted about this on their site. Good luck!

edit: I just found this on the VTR site: https://www.vtr.org/maintain/stuck-bonnet.shtml

 

[DNK]

Do as I did and undo the bonnet bolts and go at it from the front
NOT

 

[Marvin Gruber]

Done it a couple of ways, neither any fun. Long rod with hook from the grill is easiest. Flat bar with cut out on end from passenger side is another. Catch the cable and pull.

Marv

 

[trrdster2000]

I've had better luck with the grommet hole beside the glove box and a long rather large shaft screwdriver. You can use the sides of the hole for leverage. If you have never seen one, view the diagram from Moss Motors and you can see what you need to do. After you find the hole, go in at a 45 degree angle and up toward the center of the car, the battery will help guide you, now pull toward the transmission or push if you are right handed. Should pop right open. If you are very nimble you won't have to move the glove box. You will need a good light.

Wayne

 

[M_Pied_Lourd]

I believe that there is also another method by going in through the scuttle vent..If Bobby D is reading this I think that he has some pictures.

Cheers,
Tush

 

[TR6BobNF]

Here is the article from the Buckeye Triumphs technical page. Good luck!
https://www.buckeyetriumphs.org/technical/Bonnet/Bonnet.htm

 

[DNK]

Bob- I wish you had shown that to me in 97. Would have saved 14 years of grief

 

[TR6BobNF]

Stuck for 14 years? Sheesh - Ya shoulda asked :0)
By the way - that was not a Blind Moose kit showing in my trunk pic. I still have the brackets and will post pics when I get straightened away. Speaking of Moose, these three rascals were nibbling away at saplings in my father in law's yard next door to my house the morning after I returned from an unsuccessful 5-day moose hunt in November 2010. Yes, we did get a moose on the next trip 2 weeks later.
Gotta go rebuild this fossil of a computer - will be down a couple days.

 

[GilsTR]

Thanks for the help. Hope to get to this project later this week and take a peek under the hood....and this input should be very valuable....and sure beats the local thought to cut a hole in the hood!! Gil NoCal