First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

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Otto Skorzeny
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Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
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Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Sun Jul 26, 2020 8:40 am

If you're strong enough to keep the release lever pulled (clamp a vise grip to it) with one hand while you lift the hood with the other, you might not need a helper.

But if the cable isn't fully opening the lever, you'll need to poke in there with a rod or long heavy screwdriver and move the release lever TOWARD THE PASSENGER SIDE to release the latch.

The click you hear when pulling the release is the main latch. It closes to the passenger side and opens to driver side. The secondary latch is a hook that retracts toward the passenger side as long as tension remains on the release cable.

As long as you're still pulling on the cable, the hood will probably open. My guess is that the little piece of spring steel wire in the pics above isn't popping the hood clear of the secondary latch.

Keep tension on the cable and lift the hood an inch or so to clear the latch then you can release the cable and use both hands to open the hood.

You can re-tension the spring in a vise or just pull up on it in place to get it to pop the hood clear of the second latch. I added the second spring as a bonus to really throw the hood clear of the latch. It now jumps up with a 2+ inch gap to get your hands in to open the hood.

Go to the Board Index at the top of the page, then scroll down all the way to the bottom and click on Parts Information. 1966-1970, then Body and Trim, then Salvage Parts.

John Dorcey has 50 parts cars. I'm sure he can get you a new hood release handle/cable etc. Get an helper spring too.

Jim Gray
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2020 3:55 am
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Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Jim Gray » Sun Jul 26, 2020 12:28 pm

Otto,

Thank you again for help. I have reached out to John via email. I will apply your procedure when opening the hood of my Toro. I am sure I will need to be collecting parts to improve this car if I decide to move forward.

Jim

Jim Gray
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2020 3:55 am
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Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Jim Gray » Tue Jul 28, 2020 7:39 pm

Otto,
I had success in opening the hood for the first time. I am very happy to see that I have an untouched engine compartment. On the the hunt for a hood release T-handle replacement.
Anymore tips on where to look?

I emailed John in LV. I have not had reply to date. Do you have good phone number?
Thanks
Jim
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1966 Toro under the hood
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1966 Toro under the hood
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User avatar
Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:18 am

This is the phone number I have for John Dorcey 702 690 8077.

When I last spoke to him, he was working second shift hours so direct communication was not always possible.

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Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Wed Jul 29, 2020 5:30 am

Engine bay looks good and complete. Always nice to know that nobody's been monkeying with stuff under there.

As for other parts sources. You may try Fusick - perhaps the pull handle is shared by other Olds models. You could check that with the Olds Master Parts Book

Olds Master Parts List: http://wildaboutcarsonline.com/cgi-bin/ ... splayed=50

Obsolete Olds: https://www.oldsobsolete.com/

Fusick: http://www.fusickautomotiveproducts.com/searchprods.asp

Tuco
Posts: 125
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2019 6:39 pm
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Years Owned: 1966 Toronado
1951 Cadillac
1957 Pontiac
1965 Impala

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Tuco » Wed Jul 29, 2020 11:13 am

Hey Jim,
Get me your address and I’ll send this one to you.
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User avatar
Otto Skorzeny
Posts: 1721
Joined: Fri Feb 28, 2014 12:41 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Otto Skorzeny » Wed Jul 29, 2020 12:54 pm

Wow! Check it out. It isn't anywhere close to the other Oldsmobile models.

Jim Gray
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2020 3:55 am
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Jim Gray » Wed Jul 29, 2020 3:43 pm

Thank you for the consideration. How much do you need to cover shipping and the T-Hood Release?
Jim

Tuco
Posts: 125
Joined: Thu Apr 04, 2019 6:39 pm
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado
1951 Cadillac
1957 Pontiac
1965 Impala

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Tuco » Wed Jul 29, 2020 6:05 pm

No worries Jim. No charge. Just PM me your address. Glad to help a brother Toro owner out.

Jim Gray
Posts: 10
Joined: Tue Jul 21, 2020 3:55 am
TOA Membership Number: 0
Years Owned: 1966 Toronado

Re: First Time Owner of a 1966 Toronado

Postby Jim Gray » Thu Jul 30, 2020 7:39 pm

I want to thank everyone supporting my 66 Toro journey. I have much to learn in order to proceed with work on this great find here in Houston.
Making progress thanks to this team on the forum.
You guys are fantastic, I am very appreciative for the help !

Jim


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