1988 Cougar Can you remove the grill when the hood won't open?

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1988 Cougar Can you remove the grill when the hood won't open?

June 17, 2016, 07:18:11 PM

I have a 1988 Cougar. At this point it is essentially a parts car.

The hood will not open. I have googled everything and tried everything. Can't get the hood open. There are some essential parts in the engine compartment that I need.

I am thinking if I remove the grill I might be able to get to the hood latch.

Does anybody know of a way to remove the grill when the hood is still locked down ?!

If I have to I will destroy the grill but would rather not. It is a red painted Xr7 grill and I would like to use it in my new grey cougar project.

Roadbird
Gary

1988 Cougar Can you remove the grill when the hood won't open?

Reply #1 – June 17, 2016, 11:42:39 PM

The 84 shop manual says the screws holding the grill come out from the front.
Is the 88 different?

1988 Cougar Can you remove the grill when the hood won't open?

Reply #2 – June 17, 2016, 11:57:38 PM

The 1987-88 grille is different than the earlier ones. There are a few tabs that hold it in place on the inside of the header panel.

You might be able to get to the cable from underneath the car. Pulling on the cable from the driver's side *might* release the latch...

1988 Cougar Can you remove the grill when the hood won't open?

Reply #3 – June 18, 2016, 11:47:14 PM

Hi Guys

I have an 85 baby ltd It is different.

The cable is not broken It just won't open. Thinking the latch is stuck.
I am going to drill a 4" hole in the header panel and see if I can get to the latch. Don't want to break the grill. It is $129.00 on Ebay.

Roadbird
Gary

1988 Cougar Can you remove the grill when the hood won't open?

Reply #4 – June 22, 2016, 05:03:14 PM

Not sure if this will help but it looked like it might give you some direction on yours:

YouTube video: