Hood insulation installation
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Valley Springs SD
Hood insulation installation
I am wanting to replace my hood insulation - it is really ratty looking. I was wondering how those plastic clips that hold it place work. Are they reusable or do I have to order new ones as well? Is it possible to remove them without wrecking them and if so how do you do it?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
On my '75 the pin is attached to the underside of the hood and it is made of plastic - the retainer pushes on and off when you squeeze the top part of the pin. I have 11 pins but for a '77 you should have 8.
Search vendors for -- Hood Insulator Mat with pins and retainer.
I painted the metal retainers silver, and the mat sprayed black. (OK, does it really absorb any sound?) Or buy the mat/pins for about $40.
Search vendors for -- Hood Insulator Mat with pins and retainer.
I painted the metal retainers silver, and the mat sprayed black. (OK, does it really absorb any sound?) Or buy the mat/pins for about $40.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Valley Springs SD
Thanks for the info! I am assuming the retainers will stay in place when I remove the pins, so I should just need the mat and maybe new pins?
Also how does the paint hold up? Did you use normal spray paint or something else? I saw the mat from Ecklers was an ugly yellow color so if I order from them I would want to paint it too!
Does anybody have the chrome pins? I saw them for around $85, is it really worth it?
Also how does the paint hold up? Did you use normal spray paint or something else? I saw the mat from Ecklers was an ugly yellow color so if I order from them I would want to paint it too!
Does anybody have the chrome pins? I saw them for around $85, is it really worth it?
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,557
Likes: 0
From: Ridgeway VA
The retainers are somehow "glued" to the underside of the hood. I took the original pins cleaned up and painted silver - chrome is nice but the silver is fine. I just used regular black spray paint - of course wiped off grime and dirt. While you are there - paint the entire underside of the hood with black spray paint - take off latches, etc.-
most time consuming thing was masking out what didn't need to be painted - used an old sheet over the engine and radiator - taped newspapers to front of hood to avoid overspray. Really quite easy and really looks professional. (if you paint underside of hood make sure it is super clean as oil/etc over the years gets on it -just clean with degreaser then soap and water, rinse, dry you're ready to go.)
most time consuming thing was masking out what didn't need to be painted - used an old sheet over the engine and radiator - taped newspapers to front of hood to avoid overspray. Really quite easy and really looks professional. (if you paint underside of hood make sure it is super clean as oil/etc over the years gets on it -just clean with degreaser then soap and water, rinse, dry you're ready to go.)
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Valley Springs SD
I got my mat this week and am going to install it this weekend. One side has something of a liner and the other side is like your basic raw insulation.
According to the way the mat is cut the side with the liner goes up against the hood. So my question is, can you spray paint the other side? Will it cause any issues if it is painted? Seems like it would not perform as designed if it was painted
According to the way the mat is cut the side with the liner goes up against the hood. So my question is, can you spray paint the other side? Will it cause any issues if it is painted? Seems like it would not perform as designed if it was painted
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,712
Likes: 31
From: Shreveport LA
LA Events Coordinator
For years I kept cleaning, fixing, gluing, fussing with and replacing my hood liner on my '75 vert. It wasn't until I found out the purpose of the liner was to "surpress" the engine noise....I thought it protected the hood's paint. Think about all the C3's w/o the hood liners....1968-1973...that the paint was fine. Anyway, I removed it, and had a local body shop sand, clean and paint the underside of my hood...they didn't use any kind of engine heat paint....just regular automobile enamel with clear coat....the blue flames were an after thought.
I've had it off for the past year and I drive it everyday with no problems whatsoever. You may want to investigate your doing the same... I wished I had done that sooner!
I've had it off for the past year and I drive it everyday with no problems whatsoever. You may want to investigate your doing the same... I wished I had done that sooner!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
From: Valley Springs SD
For years I kept cleaning, fixing, gluing, fussing with and replacing my hood liner on my '75 vert. It wasn't until I found out the purpose of the liner was to "surpress" the engine noise....I thought it protected the hood's paint. Think about all the C3's w/o the hood liners....1968-1973...that the paint was fine. Anyway, I removed it, and had a local body shop sand, clean and paint the underside of my hood...they didn't use any kind of engine heat paint....just regular automobile enamel with clear coat....the blue flames were an after thought.
I've had it off for the past year and I drive it everyday with no problems whatsoever. You may want to investigate your doing the same... I wished I had done that sooner!
I've had it off for the past year and I drive it everyday with no problems whatsoever. You may want to investigate your doing the same... I wished I had done that sooner!
That is
I love the look! I always thought it was there to protect the hood/paint from engine heat. I will definitely look into getting the hood painted - I might copy your flames too if thats ok, I really like the look!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
