I had to remove the lower part of the hood latch (that attaches to the frame of the car) to access the radiator. Now I can close the hood but can't open it. I pushed and pulled the hood release in the engine compartment, all to no avail. Help!

If it is not really out of alignment you can sometimes get it to release by pulling the hood sideways left and right. Have someone pulling the hood release cable while you are doing this

The latching plate you loosened is probably now in the wrong position to align with the male part on the hood. The edge of the knob on the end of the hood part must be centered on the hole of the body latch or its edge will hang up on the latch hole. You can reach it from underneath to either pry it with a long screwdriver to free it (have someone pulling the hood release) or the hood part might be turned counter-clockwise using the slot in its end. There is a locknut on this part, but it should come loose when you unscrew it. I would try to move it with screwdriver (again with release pulled) until you find a centered point where it will pop up. After it's open, loosen the latch mounting bolts, lower the hood and let the hood post move the latch plate into alignment. Tighten bolts.

you might be able to open it by turning the latch with your hand. i did this for about two years before i finally bought a new hood release. remove the black piece the fits into your front air dam (if it's still there). you should be able to reach up in front of the radiator to the hood latch. there's a tab that the hood relase hooks in to. either pull on it or fit a hammer up there and tap it. (tap meaning be gentle with the hammer!)

if the latch itself is messed up, i'm not sure what to do. hopefully someone else will have some advice to that effect.

Mike