I tried cleaning around the hood latches, but it just wasn’t working so I opted to remove the latches being careful to mark the edges so that they would go back in the exact same spots.
With the latches out it was much easier to clean. Notice the body plug just left of center at the top. This I believe is how you get the hood up should the hood cables fail. There is a plug on both sides. On the passenger side a screwdriver would be used to lift the latch trip lever and on the opposite side the driver would be used to press down on the latch trip lever. I’ve left the bits of gasket type stuff around a couple of studs to help locate the latch in the exact original position. On the other side I used a dental pick to scribe lines on two edges for the same purpose.
Everything cleaned up and a spray of white grease on all the moving parts of the latches.
The old cable was still working, but it was beginning to fray.
New cables in place and working well. I’ve also brushed on heavy rust check on the nuts and bare metal. May get to paint them later on.
Next: a dreaded electrical short.