For lack of a better word, thats what I call it. The black material that is attached to the underside of the hood on older mod cars.
In my case an 85 bird ( standard ). This"blanket" is getting pretty ratty and I wondering if/what would happen if I remove it.

 

It wont hurt it, as a matter of fact if its old you should remove it.

 

Should I replace it....
Or is it even needed

 

If the sound of underhood noises (belts, fan, etc) bothers you, replace it. If not, take it off and leave it.
In case you care, it's called an 'hood insulator' and it's p/n 14099507(w/o formula) and is $24.50 from GMPartsdirect.

 

Thanks for the info....
I should remove it for it is begining to sag and gettin tears from the belts and pulleys.
I'll see how it sounds and go from there......
thanks again!

 

thats your best bet to take it off and drive the car, i have a fiberglass hood and i have no isnulation and it doesnt bother me, i was looking for it to be louder but i noticed no difference in the car.

 

It's not only on there for sound purposes. It's an insulator. It keeps the engine heat from reaching the hood. Granted, leaving the car sit in the sun will probably get the paint hotter than the engine will, but that's what it's for.

 

Well my paint is shot anyway... but I'll check into replacing it.