[TR] TR4A latch catch

[carlsereda]

George, 
The owner's manual's remedy for broken TR4 release cable is to remove glove
box and rubber grommet near latch and with large screwdrive release latch. In
your technique you may have put side pressure on the spindle arrow head and it
is now catching on the edge of latch or the latch hole no longer being
centered because you moved the hood. I would attempt to relocate the arrowhead
spindle directly over the latch hole and apply moderate pressure down above
latch spindle to help uncatch it from the side of entry hole or from being
stuck to latch plate itself (even though you have it in 'released' mode).
Good luck - and take it slow!
Carl
'63 TR4 since '74

Here's the sad scenerio: 

We're installing the hood on my TR4A following a new paint job.
While adjusting the front hinges, we allowed the hood to latch (at the 
back).
Now the latch will not release. 

THE RELEASE LEVER IS RETRACTED FULLY (both from inside the car and using 
the emergency cable.)
We removed the hinge bolts by reaching up from below, so the front now 
opens maybe 3 inches.
With a stick and a hook, we were able to poke the latch and pull on it. 
No luck releasing it!

Short of torching a large hole in the rear of the (freshly-painted) hood, 
does anyone have a suggestion for releasing the latch pin, which may have 
sunk too deeply into the latch?
George Haynes