get the @#^%@$@ thing closed before the snow packs the engine bay full?

The link has bent - don't know how far. Seems to me the easiest way to a tempo fix, after the duck tape, is to straighten the link.

If it were me, I would rig something up using a piece of something real rigid, like angle iron, across the pivot points, and then put a large "C" clamp across that piece to the point of the bend. Screw that sucker tight, wearing gloves and glasses, and see it if gets straight enough to let the hood latch.

Maybe there's some pictures?

Replacement link has to be a junkyard item. The links come off, I think. Need heavy duty leverage to handle the springs. BTDT

Good Luck,

Bob

:>)