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Old 04-11-2022 | 04:30 PM
  #1  
Bigscott's Avatar
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Hood insulation

Hello all. I am just trying to decide if I should take off my hood insulation or not. My car is super clean and still has the factory hood insulation. I just don't like it and I have opened up my power bulge and made nice aluminum mash grill for it. The insulation hangs down a little at the bulge opening and drives me nuts! LOL! So what do you folks think? Pull to off and fold it up and save it? or will folding it up or rolling it up destroy it? Will taking it off do anything to my hood paint?
Old 04-12-2022 | 01:41 PM
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RedLeader289's Avatar
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From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Hood insulation

The hood insulation is there to put out an engine fire should one occur. It's made such that the little plastic pins holding it in place melt causing it to drop onto the engine and snuff out the fire. Removing it is a "you" decision. You'll see plenty of cars with or without them on here.
Old 04-12-2022 | 03:52 PM
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From: Mantua NJ
Car: 1 Owner 1986 TA with a WS6 package
Engine: 5.0 EFI
Transmission: THM700R4
Axle/Gears: 277 Posi Speedo
Re: Hood insulation

It would stay if it were me,these TPI engines get really hot (235* before the fan comes on)it most likely would destroy the hoods finish,but that's just me.
Old 04-12-2022 | 05:03 PM
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Bigscott's Avatar
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Re: Hood insulation

Well I have my answer! I guess it stays! Thank you everyone!
Old 04-12-2022 | 05:34 PM
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Komet's Avatar
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From: WA
Car: 1989 IROC-Z
Engine: L98 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: BW 9 Bolt / 2.77 Posi
Re: Hood insulation

Originally Posted by mantaguy
It would stay if it were me,these TPI engines get really hot (235* before the fan comes on)it most likely would destroy the hoods finish,but that's just me.
Dang I never thought about it because I got my car this way, but my insulation is gone and the paint on my hood has bubbles.

Anybody else without insulation have that issue?
Old 04-12-2022 | 05:48 PM
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From: Louisville, KY
Car: 1983 Z28
Engine: 385 Fastburn
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: BorgWarner 9-bolt posi, 3.27 gears
Re: Hood insulation

Originally Posted by Komet
Dang I never thought about it because I got my car this way, but my insulation is gone and the paint on my hood has bubbles.

Anybody else without insulation have that issue?
i don’t but I also don’t have a TPI engine so my temps aren’t nearly that high.
Old 04-13-2022 | 09:32 AM
  #7  
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From: Windsor, On
Car: 1984 Trans AM
Engine: 305
Transmission: 700-4r
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Re: Hood insulation

I am replacing the underhood insulation of my '84 T/A. The current piece is in bad shape.
Old 04-13-2022 | 10:07 AM
  #8  
ironwill's Avatar
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Car: 1986 IROC Z
Engine: 5.0 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi
Re: Hood insulation

Originally Posted by Bigscott
Hello all. I am just trying to decide if I should take off my hood insulation or not.

Will taking it off do anything to my hood paint?
It's there to keep the paint on the hood from aging faster than the rest of the car's paint due to engine heat. It may also help to reduce engine noise as well.

You'd do well to leave it on the car.
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Old 04-13-2022 | 07:09 PM
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From: Hawaii
Car: 89' Firebird / 87' Formula
Engine: 3.4 / 5.0
Transmission: 700-R4
Axle/Gears: 3.42 / 3.42
Re: Hood insulation

Originally Posted by RedLeader289
The hood insulation is there to put out an engine fire should one occur. It's made such that the little plastic pins holding it in place melt causing it to drop onto the engine and snuff out the fire. Removing it is a "you" decision. You'll see plenty of cars with or without them on here.

THIS is good to know!!
Old 04-14-2022 | 06:35 PM
  #10  
8t2 z-chev's Avatar
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From: belle fourche,s.d.
Car: '82 z28
Engine: L83 5.7
Transmission: 700r4-1985
Axle/Gears: 3.42 posi
Re: Hood insulation

I removed my hood insulation within hours of bringing my '82 home back in 1990-insulation was shredded above the fan and all full of dust-no regrets and no ill effects I have the SMC hood.
Old 05-08-2022 | 02:34 PM
  #11  
BBCSwap's Avatar
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Posts: 348
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From: Central Michigan
Engine: SBC 400 Carb
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 28 spline 323 gears
Re: Hood insulation

I cut up some furnace duct to help hold up the insulation. I was sagging in the center over the intake & both front corners were hanging down. And added some insulation where it was missing above intake.

Old 05-09-2022 | 10:55 AM
  #12  
LiquidBlue's Avatar
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Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 1,998
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From: Austin, TX
Car: 90 Formula / T-tops
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: MD8
Re: Hood insulation

Originally Posted by RedLeader289
The hood insulation is there to put out an engine fire should one occur. It's made such that the little plastic pins holding it in place melt causing it to drop onto the engine and snuff out the fire. Removing it is a "you" decision. You'll see plenty of cars with or without them on here.
interesting, never heard that before. makes sense.
Old 05-25-2022 | 02:43 PM
  #13  
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From: Fayette County, OH
Car: basic third gens
Engine: that I like
Transmission: to restore
Axle/Gears: and enjoy
Re: Hood insulation

The hood insulation is primarily there for sound deadening. Sure it is fire retardant, but it has to be simply because of the location it's installed. While yes, it can smother a small fire, it will still burn if the fire is bad enough. As for protecting the paint on the hood, the underhood heat is no match for sitting out in the sun on a hot summer day.

Having the insulation is a good thing of course, but removing it will not hurt your hood's paint or cause your car to burn down in a fire. If you have blisters in your paint, that's because your paint quality or prep work is bad. If you're car burns to the ground from an engine fire, then something else needed tending to, other than the proper installation of a hood liner.
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