I bought my 78 some months ago from Hobbycars out in Western Pennsylvania.  I haven't been able to work on it until lately. I got it up on my lift to check it out from underneath.  The BIG problem I am having is the blasted hood cable appears to be broken. That was hidden from me when I looked at it. I have tried to fabricate a tool as one website recommended.  It doesn't do anything.  I put it up on the lift to see what I could from underneath,  but even with my cheap borescope,  I couldn't see anything.  This is aggravating as I would like to drive it to Carlisle later this month. My Black Rose 92 automatic doesn't do it for me. The 78 L-82 is a 4 spd.

Sorry to hear about the hood issue.  I moved your post into this forum so it would be with more issues related to the hood.  Scroll down through the threads and you'll see several others.  Hopefully one will have a solution for you.

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

I put it up on my lift and removed the left splash pan. I can't get my arm in far enough to feel the latch. The battery on my borescope is low, so I have to wait until I can get on it again. We have a Vette/Camaro show this weekend at Turner Chevrolet.  That and a bee club picnic screws things up.

Yeah, sorry to hear that too. It's a downer for sure.

I take it that the cable that's broke is the one from the interior's Hood Release Handle to the Left Hood Latch Lever. 

Perhaps you could run a strong wire with a hook on the end under the hood near the RH wiper (lifting up on the hood as much as possible), and then hook and pull on the RH Latch Cable in an effort to release the RH Hood Latch.  Once open, wedge it open so you don't have to do this again. 😬

Get that side open and yer half way there. 👍

Next objective is to open the LH Latch by pushing the Latch Lever from across the hood's open side.

I had this Paint Roller Extension handy.

Any rod long and ridged that fits under the hood and reaches will do.

I had to light up the area to find the Latch's contact area, and once I did, placed the rod on it and pushed.

Voilà!! Was a great feeling, believe me.

Hope this works for you.

Good Luck.

Steve

Charles, did any of the advice above help you? Especially Steve's detailed description with photos?

-Adam Wartell
NCM Lifetime Member #1222
Founder: C3 Vette Registry 
C4 Vette Registry, C6 Vette Registry

My first Vette, now owned by JB79:

The mechanism is different on 77 to 82 Vettes. I am  biting the bullet and getting a shop to open this thing. It must be adjusted to tight on spring tension. I have made 2 tools to open through the tiny hole. I have it up on my lift and have removed the splash pan. I have done a lot of engine removals and installations on various cars. I rebuilt a 63 roadster many years ago. This one is frustrating me.

Not sure if you're still sweating over this, but the link below can lead you through a process to get your hood open.

https://www.justanswer.com/chevy/5iuqe-chevrolet-corvette-release-right-hood-latch.html

Greg