Firewall Insulation Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
Firewall Insulation Question
I was flipping through a parts catalog last night in order to develop a list of stuff I need to get for my 71 BB coupe. As I did so I noticed that the catalogs list both insulation and sound deadener for the firewall.
When I stripped the interior from the car all I remember pulling out is the carpet and jute padding type stuff (which I assume is the sound deadener). I don't remember seeing anything that resembled insulation - or even that I removed two layers of material.
So my question is, am I crazy or did I just miss something?
FYI - I'm hoping the answer is that 71 BB Coupes didn't come with insulation, that way I won't have to dish out almost $200 for new stuff.
Somehow I doubt that's the case. 
When I stripped the interior from the car all I remember pulling out is the carpet and jute padding type stuff (which I assume is the sound deadener). I don't remember seeing anything that resembled insulation - or even that I removed two layers of material.
So my question is, am I crazy or did I just miss something?
FYI - I'm hoping the answer is that 71 BB Coupes didn't come with insulation, that way I won't have to dish out almost $200 for new stuff.
Somehow I doubt that's the case.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: West Point MS
I just put new carpet in my 75. Like yours, the old carpet only had the jute backing. My car had a rough textured coating on all the surfaces which was a sound deadener that was applied at the factory.
Like many others, I added a sound deadener product and a heat barrier. I put down Hushmat as the sound deadener and then put Reflectix on top of that as the heat barrier. Reflectix is much cheaper and can be bought at home supply stores such as Lowe's.
The new carpet will more than likely have a jute backing which will go down without any problem over the reflectix.
Like many others, I added a sound deadener product and a heat barrier. I put down Hushmat as the sound deadener and then put Reflectix on top of that as the heat barrier. Reflectix is much cheaper and can be bought at home supply stores such as Lowe's.
The new carpet will more than likely have a jute backing which will go down without any problem over the reflectix.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,189
Likes: 111
From: Tolland CT
I was flipping through a parts catalog last night in order to develop a list of stuff I need to get for my 71 BB coupe. As I did so I noticed that the catalogs list both insulation and sound deadener for the firewall.
When I stripped the interior from the car all I remember pulling out is the carpet and jute padding type stuff (which I assume is the sound deadener). I don't remember seeing anything that resembled insulation - or even that I removed two layers of material.
So my question is, am I crazy or did I just miss something?
FYI - I'm hoping the answer is that 71 BB Coupes didn't come with insulation, that way I won't have to dish out almost $200 for new stuff. Somehow I doubt that's the case.
When I stripped the interior from the car all I remember pulling out is the carpet and jute padding type stuff (which I assume is the sound deadener). I don't remember seeing anything that resembled insulation - or even that I removed two layers of material.
So my question is, am I crazy or did I just miss something?
FYI - I'm hoping the answer is that 71 BB Coupes didn't come with insulation, that way I won't have to dish out almost $200 for new stuff.
Somehow I doubt that's the case. There's no difference between small block and big block so far as insulation goes.
Maybe Alan71 can post some photos?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,278
Likes: 4,372
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi MV
In 71 (and other years) there were 2 pads/insulation on the firewall.
Just below the windshield and down until about 6" below the windshield there was die-cut jute glued to the birdcage.
Below that on the fiberglass firewall there was a jute mat with a thick rubber like black coating that spanned much of the firewall and as held in-place with the heater air box and some of the rubber plugs that are used for the carpet to. Note the carpet covers the bottom of the pad.
The reproductions are only 'close' if that matters to you.
Regards,
Alan
In this picture you can see both the upper jute pad and the rubber coated firewall pad.
You can see the rubber backed pad just above the passenger's side carpet in this picture... especially to the right in the picture near the kick panel.
In 71 (and other years) there were 2 pads/insulation on the firewall.
Just below the windshield and down until about 6" below the windshield there was die-cut jute glued to the birdcage.
Below that on the fiberglass firewall there was a jute mat with a thick rubber like black coating that spanned much of the firewall and as held in-place with the heater air box and some of the rubber plugs that are used for the carpet to. Note the carpet covers the bottom of the pad.
The reproductions are only 'close' if that matters to you.
Regards,
Alan
In this picture you can see both the upper jute pad and the rubber coated firewall pad.
You can see the rubber backed pad just above the passenger's side carpet in this picture... especially to the right in the picture near the kick panel.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 3
From: East Waterboro Maine
Thanks everyone. Good information, and those pics really helped. Sounds like I have enough information to be able to move forward from here. I'm thinking of using Reflectix or something similar instead of paying several hundred dollars.
