I have a 69 280SL and just removed the hood, radiator and cylinder head. I have removed the hood many times. It is light, I do it by myself. There is a hole in the channel on the hood above the spring. Make an S-shaped hook and hang the spring into that hook after you have inserted the hook into the hole. Support the hood with a stick. Undo the strap. Put small pieces of heavy cardboard between the open hood and the fenders on each side and a bigger piece between the grille and the hood. Now undo the two hex head bolts on each side which hold the hinge to the hood. There are floating nutplates in the hood. It's a little more difficult to catch these nutplates when you put the hood back on. Use a nail to find them. I have always removed the radiator from the top. I have A/C, so that makes it a little more difficult. I leave the shroud in place, just move it away from the radiator by taking the screws out. Be careful not to scrape the radiator too much against the fan. The fins can be straightened out with thin flat pliers.
'69 280SL,Signal Red,007537,tired engineer, West-Seattle, WA