For the past month or so it has been harder to open the hood. Today the thing wouldn't open at all. I have ordered a new cable kit through AB. I have tried using pliers to pull it--and it isn't doing a thing.
Any ideas?

 

Try using a pry bar and putting some upwards pressure while someone pulls the handle. That did the trick for me when mine got stuck. Good luck.

 

They hood latch and cable need to be lubed every 6 months.
Lube and then work the lube in, use silicon spray as not to attract dirt.

 

Use a screw driver to pop out the driver side headlight so you can access the release cable and release it from there. Then lubricate the latch and cable once the hood is open.

 

Once I get the cable from the headlight should I just cut through it and pull it to open it? That wasn't working at all down by the release lever.
(I am waiting until the replacement cable arrives from AB to mess with it further.)

 

Mine is hard too. I have to pull toward center consul to get it to release...

 

mine did the same thing..i took the spring out and compressed it by turning it and now the hood opens fine

 

I got my new hood cable today from AB and went to work on it. I fished the cable out through the grill just to the left of the badge. I cut through the whole cable and housing and then trimmed the housing back about 2 inches. From there it was a quick tug and it popped open the first try.
The new cable and pull was a snap to install the only finicky pieces were pulling the trim. I would say this is pretty darn easy to do.
Ghost Rider if yours is already pulling hard lube it up before it seizes, because it is a lot easier to prevent then to replace.

 

Mark-I found a great mechanic in Grandville, Petey's Pitstop on Chicago Drive behind the party store next to Grandville Tractor.
Talk to Mike or Rose and tell them I sent you.
It does not look like much, but then the best shops never do.

 

Sounds good Phil. I have a mystery oil leak. Comes down onto the bell housing. I can't see anything around the intake manifold, so i don't think it is the valley gastket. I fear it might be the rear main. I am not losing coolant, i did the heads last fall, so I am kind of ruling out the heads.
I will probably bring it in for an estimate.