Hood insulator... what is the purpose of it?
#1
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Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 Liter
Transmission: 700R4
Hood insulator... what is the purpose of it?
I've wondered why the insulator was there, and I've gotten various answers regarding it's worth. Do you really need one, or can I take it off?
#2
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Car: 82 camaro SC
Engine: 350
Transmission: 700r4
7 years without one, 5 years on new paint. Never caused any problems. Maybe it makes it quieter or something.
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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro
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82 camaro--original steering wheel, brake/gas pedals, seats--everything else modified
82camaro
#3
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I took mine off after my upper radiator hose blew up and soaked it with antifreeze. I can hear the engine more from the front of the car rather than just the exhaust.
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1986 Firebird, LG4 305, bored .040 over, Crane cam, Edelbrock headers, Hooker Aerochamber muffler, loud and fast.
"Gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme that which I desire!" - Metallica, "Fuel"
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1986 Firebird, LG4 305, bored .040 over, Crane cam, Edelbrock headers, Hooker Aerochamber muffler, loud and fast.
"Gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme that which I desire!" - Metallica, "Fuel"
#6
What Soul Said.
If anyone tells you its there to Protect the paint, Don't listen to them
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60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver 15.26 @ 87.0
Reader's ride -> My Ride
Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype
If anyone tells you its there to Protect the paint, Don't listen to them
------------------
60 Ranchero - Project ( Money Hole )
85 Sport Coupe LG4 - Daily Driver 15.26 @ 87.0
Reader's ride -> My Ride
Just another Hot Rod kid, or thats what they all tell me.
Livin' the Stereotype
#7
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Car: 86 T/A
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
In addition to helping protect paint breakdown on the hood, it also quietens the engine bay. Helps engine warm faster in cold climate. Helps engine run cooler in extremely hot climates. And will help minimize damage in the event of an engine fire.
Even rumors that it was designed with those plastic tabs to melt in the event of a fire and drop the hood blanket down on a fire.
Whatever it's true purpose I can't imagine removing such a cheap piece that does so many. When you get tired of it getting junk in your hair or all over your engine just get a new one.
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<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="red">Red 86 T/A</FONT><FONT SIZE="2"> 5.0 TPI</FONT><FONT SIZE="1"> </FONT><FONT SIZE="2">(LB9/WS6)
~HyperTech Cap/Coil/Rotor/AFPR
~Derale Adjustable Fan Switch ~ 170° Stat
~Flow Matched Injectors ~ K & N Air Filter
~Ported Plenum ~ Pirelli 245/50/16
~SLP TB Airfoil
~New Hood Insulator (joke)
~All Else Stock</FONT>
<A HREF="http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/"><FONT SIZE="1" FACE="MS Sans Serif"><IMG SRC="http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/cg/3rd-logo.jpg" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" BORDER="0"></FONT></A>
Even rumors that it was designed with those plastic tabs to melt in the event of a fire and drop the hood blanket down on a fire.
Whatever it's true purpose I can't imagine removing such a cheap piece that does so many. When you get tired of it getting junk in your hair or all over your engine just get a new one.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="red">Red 86 T/A</FONT><FONT SIZE="2"> 5.0 TPI</FONT><FONT SIZE="1"> </FONT><FONT SIZE="2">(LB9/WS6)
~HyperTech Cap/Coil/Rotor/AFPR
~Derale Adjustable Fan Switch ~ 170° Stat
~Flow Matched Injectors ~ K & N Air Filter
~Ported Plenum ~ Pirelli 245/50/16
~SLP TB Airfoil
~New Hood Insulator (joke)
~All Else Stock</FONT>
<A HREF="http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/"><FONT SIZE="1" FACE="MS Sans Serif"><IMG SRC="http://www.gmtips.com/3rd-degree/cg/3rd-logo.jpg" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="80" ALIGN="BOTTOM" BORDER="0"></FONT></A>
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#8
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Car: 91 Red Sled
Axle/Gears: 10bolt Richmond 3.73 Torsen
It was designed to smother an engine fire but have you seen what is usually left? The front end usually catchs on fire and the "blanket" doesn't do much. As for keeping things quieter. They do with TBI, not sure with carb or TPI. TBI has these loud injectors out in the open and the IAC isn't any quieter. I say scrap the thing. I had to remove mine for hood clearance, even had to cut some of the underbracing.
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, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website
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, Jon (350 TBI!)
91 Red My website
#9
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I've worked in the fire and safety field for a long time, and put out quite a few fires in my lifetime. That insulater is nothing but more fuel for a fire. By the time you find out about the fire under the hood, the insulation is already burning. As far as I know, that insulation has no fire retardent materials in its construction.
#10
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Mines been gone ever since I bought my car, in 93. It hasnt been repainted since 92. Heres my hood as of 5 months ago:
I know you cant see it all, but the whole hood looks like that. Paint protection my foot...
[This message has been edited by madmax (edited May 22, 2001).]
I know you cant see it all, but the whole hood looks like that. Paint protection my foot...
[This message has been edited by madmax (edited May 22, 2001).]
#11
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Car: 86 T/A
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Now MadMan.......LOL
Key word "repainted" with ?
Modern improved paint. But if you combine the heat from an engine, with a water based primered paint job, and put it in Phoenix on a 120 degree day ..... you'll see what I mean.
I've seen too many hoods where the paint or clearcoat was flaked or peeling or faded. It would seem logical since this was the only part of the car that was like this.
I can say whether it was heat from under the hood or beating down on the hood but it was from heat.... and I can't say that a hood blanket would have helped, but I can say that the majority of these had no blanket or a dilapidated one.
Sorry about your foot........ dang nice car though!!!
Key word "repainted" with ?
Modern improved paint. But if you combine the heat from an engine, with a water based primered paint job, and put it in Phoenix on a 120 degree day ..... you'll see what I mean.
I've seen too many hoods where the paint or clearcoat was flaked or peeling or faded. It would seem logical since this was the only part of the car that was like this.
I can say whether it was heat from under the hood or beating down on the hood but it was from heat.... and I can't say that a hood blanket would have helped, but I can say that the majority of these had no blanket or a dilapidated one.
Sorry about your foot........ dang nice car though!!!
#12
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Well here's my story. I had an engine fire big enough to melt most of the wiring on the passengar side of the engine bay. The fire was active for maybe 45 seconds. Im pretty sure I would have had paint damage on the hood if I didn't have the insulation in place. One of the plastic hold up things did pretty much melt away, so I'm not sure about the "designed to smother" thing. Also, my insulation is fiberglass, and fiberglass is not flammable. Maybe in some cars the fiber insulation like under the carpet is used.
#13
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Car: 1989 Trans Am GTA
Engine: 5.7 Liter
Transmission: 700R4
Well thanks for the replies guys. You've answered my questions, now I have a better understanding. I'll keep checking this post for other inputs.
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#15
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i havent had mine since the engine fire of 94. and yes it is fuel for fire, all the fumes and grease and dust that built up in it over the years. its kind of like a wick. lucky for me i carry a fire extinguisher in my cars, i saved almost everything under the hood from damage except a few wires that were easily replaced. no paint problems over the years, and i like the way my engine sounds anyway.
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85 IROC 350 11:1keith blacks,.555lift erson roller cam,1.5 crane roller rockers,edelbrock intake,holley 4150 750dbl pumper, nitrous oxide,full length heddman headers,true dual exhaust, 11"stall converter, 700R4, 3.73 locker
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85 IROC 350 11:1keith blacks,.555lift erson roller cam,1.5 crane roller rockers,edelbrock intake,holley 4150 750dbl pumper, nitrous oxide,full length heddman headers,true dual exhaust, 11"stall converter, 700R4, 3.73 locker
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