He got a 88 astro van to rag on and save his Truck some wear ad tear. He wants to give it a tune up, but he can't get the hood open. The cable part is broken (he can't even see where it hooks too) and he can't find a way to get in there. Anyone have any advice?

 

couple pounds of C4 should do the trick

 

You might take the grille off and look behind it for the cable. Just guessing. And if you find it, take a pair of vise grips and lock down on the cable and yank the heck out of it. It should open.

 

I told him try to go through the grill, but he said there was a huge lip preventing him from getting to the latch from the grill area.
He finally got in by weaseling wench in the corners, and removing the bolts on the hinges. When I asked how he was going to keep it closed to drive, he said "bungee cords, it's only a chevy"

 

Did this "friend" buy the van or just “get it” from somewhere one late evening?

The reason I ask is did this “friend” ever look under the hood, if for nothing else just to look like they knew what they were doing? Any how I hope your “friend” has luck getting it open. You could always drive it down to a dealer and see if they might not help out for free as a “public relations” act…

If that don't work then I like wannanicecar recommendation of the C4. I would sale tickets for the hood opening event, who knows you might get enough money to replace the whole van...

 

01,

Your a nutcase.

 

Very funny 01 I don't have friends in 'low places' and I said he already got in. Yes, he bought it without looking under the hood because it wouldn't open then. The guy wanted $1,500 but he took $700, so given what it takes to own/operate a vehical, if it runs for 3 months without trouble, then it is worth it.

 

Should be good to go until its time for an oil change...

 

ATST, this happened on my painter's 87 AStro. I finally got it open with a DeWalt sawzall. He now uses bungee cords as well.

 

That hood problem must be common with Astro vans owned by painters then, because this van still has the painters company name on it.
SawZall? Ex painters Astro vans must have the same friends too. A friend of his actually told him to drill though the hood.
At least by removing the hinges, the hood is intact. He can just bungee the front part, and put the hinges back on.