Aftermarket hood does not open

I have a 1986 Cummins swapped Suburban with an aftermarket hood. The hood did not have a spring in front so the PO told me to jamb something between the hood and the grill when pulling the hood release handle. This only worked sometimes and it usually took me a few pulls of the handle to get the hood latch to disengage with the loop on the hood so I could open the hood. I replaced the spring and now I can't open the hood, even with jamming something between the hood and the grill. Has anyone ever run into this? I'm new to squarebodys but I think the position of the loop that engages the hood latch might be part of the issue. The safety latch was removed because the intercooler fills the space that the hook part of the safety latch would usually fit. I currently have a piece of cable connected to the loop on the hood with a carabiner. Any advice on an alternate safety latch?

Could be too much pressure. Have someone push down slightly on the hood where the latch is and see if that releases it.

Got any pictures? That would go a long way in helping us figure it out

Have you tried pushing down on the hood after you've pulled the cable? For my '85, with a new cable and well lubricated latch, I have to whack the hood after I've pulled the release every time.

Scott91370 said:

Could be too much pressure. Have someone push down slightly on the hood where the latch is and see if that releases it.

Click to expand...

^^^ This^^^

If a hood latch is out of adjustment, the pressure from the spring can cause the latch to bind more.

When you finally get the hood open, remove the latch. Then adjust the hood to lay closed properly. Then install the latch and adjust it so the hood will close and still line up when it's latched. During the latch adjustment process, DO NOT fully latch the hood if you feel any kind of binding as the hood is pushed down. The goal is to get the side-side latch adjustment done first, so that the hood striker doesn't drag down either side of the latch. Then work on the up-down latch adjustment, so that the hood latches closed fully, without putting too much pressure on the two front hood bumper stops.

bucket said:

^^^ This^^^

If a hood latch is out of adjustment, the pressure from the spring can cause the latch to bind more.

When you finally get the hood open, remove the latch. Then adjust the hood to lay closed properly. Then install the latch and adjust it so the hood will close and still line up when it's latched. During the latch adjustment process, DO NOT fully latch the hood if you feel any kind of binding as the hood is pushed down. The goal is to get the side-side latch adjustment done first, so that the hood striker doesn't drag down either side of the latch. Then work on the up-down latch adjustment, so that the hood latches closed fully, without putting too much pressure on the two front hood bumper stops.

Click to expand...

I got the hood open, then I adjusted the latch. I also lubricated the latch and all the hood hinges. I didn't realize that when you pull the hood release handle the latch only moves part way and when you release the handle the latch opens fully. I think the latch was binding on the second action of the latch when the handle is released inside the cab. So I think a combination of cleaning and lubing the latch and adjusting the position solved the issue. Thanks to everyone for the help. Now I need to figure out how to modify the safety latch since the intercooler blocks the original hole the safety latch fits into.