Hood Insulation
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Hood Insulation
I just received a hood insulation replacement for my 74' Corvette from Corvette Central. When I tried to install it, I found it was cut to form with the finished side facing the hood, and the unfinished side toward the engine. Thus, with the hood up, the loose fiberglass easily comes off onto your skin or clothes. I made a phone call, and was told this is the way it is made. I called Ecklers, and was told theirs is made with the finished side towards the engine, as it is too unsafe the other way around. Can someone help me??? What is the proper way for this to be installed. I'm itchy just thinking of the fiberglass.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 161
Likes: 17
From: Georgia
I purchased an original GM pad years ago when you could still get them from the dealer. The smooth side is down on my 73 . I think I would call CC again, might get a different rep. and better service. They have always given me good customer service over the years. I'm thinking both sides on mine were encapsulated, not sure, it's been while.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Corvette Central will say whatever will get them "off the hook". Smooth side is toward engine. Buy from another source and flip the one your have over, if you can.
P.S. I HAVE purchased items from them, have had trouble with almost everything, and got the same kind of BS from them when I have called for help. I don't buy from them anymore.
P.S. I HAVE purchased items from them, have had trouble with almost everything, and got the same kind of BS from them when I have called for help. I don't buy from them anymore.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
I'm getting more confused. I just copied this from the Eckler's catalogue, and it sounds like the unfinished side should be facing the engine???
Ecklers Corvette understands your hood insulation serves a very critical safety purpose. It’s not there to merely offer sound suppression from your engine or to protect your paint from heat. Your hood insulation is there to offer you some protection in case of an engine fire. During heavy heat, the plastic clips that hold the insulation in melt dropping the insulation on top of the engine to smother and reduce the spread of flames. Because of this, some hood insulations are made to only cover the engine and not fully cover the inside of your hood. Running a car without hood insulation can be a critical safety error that no one should make. Our affordable hood insulations are carefully sourced from quality manufacturers and made from modern asbestos free materials. Enjoy your classic safely with quality replacement hood insulations from Ecklers Corvette.
Ecklers Corvette understands your hood insulation serves a very critical safety purpose. It’s not there to merely offer sound suppression from your engine or to protect your paint from heat. Your hood insulation is there to offer you some protection in case of an engine fire. During heavy heat, the plastic clips that hold the insulation in melt dropping the insulation on top of the engine to smother and reduce the spread of flames. Because of this, some hood insulations are made to only cover the engine and not fully cover the inside of your hood. Running a car without hood insulation can be a critical safety error that no one should make. Our affordable hood insulations are carefully sourced from quality manufacturers and made from modern asbestos free materials. Enjoy your classic safely with quality replacement hood insulations from Ecklers Corvette.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello
After your post I went back to the garage and looked at the hood insulation again. I was wrong on my first reply.
When I first opened the hood and looked at the insulation, it was nice and clean, smooth, nothing falling off. So I said it was the finished side,.
After reading your reply above, I went back to the garage, opened the hood and used a flashlight to look at the back side. IT IS VERY SMOOTH.
So I am going to change my reply. On my 73 the very smooth side is facing up, and meets the hood. The rougher side is facing down and meets the engine.
Now on my 73 its not a garage queen, but gets driven so little the hood insulation looks brand new, and even though I say it is the rough side, it is still smooth. But there are no fibers hanging off or loose. Its all tight and clean looking.
I wanted to clarify that point. The backside is very smooth. the engine side would be rougher. But it is not unfinished with fibers hanging down.
kdf
After your post I went back to the garage and looked at the hood insulation again. I was wrong on my first reply.
When I first opened the hood and looked at the insulation, it was nice and clean, smooth, nothing falling off. So I said it was the finished side,.
After reading your reply above, I went back to the garage, opened the hood and used a flashlight to look at the back side. IT IS VERY SMOOTH.
So I am going to change my reply. On my 73 the very smooth side is facing up, and meets the hood. The rougher side is facing down and meets the engine.
Now on my 73 its not a garage queen, but gets driven so little the hood insulation looks brand new, and even though I say it is the rough side, it is still smooth. But there are no fibers hanging off or loose. Its all tight and clean looking.
I wanted to clarify that point. The backside is very smooth. the engine side would be rougher. But it is not unfinished with fibers hanging down.
kdf
Last edited by kdf1986; Sep 18, 2015 at 12:07 AM. Reason: spelling
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Corvette Central will say whatever will get them "off the hook". Smooth side is toward engine. Buy from another source and flip the one your have over, if you can.
P.S. I HAVE purchased items from them, have had trouble with almost everything, and got the same kind of BS from them when I have called for help. I don't buy from them anymore.
P.S. I HAVE purchased items from them, have had trouble with almost everything, and got the same kind of BS from them when I have called for help. I don't buy from them anymore.
Sounds wise
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
Hello
I went to a Corvette car chow at Los Altos, California today. I looked at many C3s with the hood open. All of them had the fiberglass looking insulation pointing toward the engine. None of them had the shiny side on the engine side. I would say based on what I saw the "unfinished" side should point to the engine, and the shiny finished side should point to the hood.
kdf
I went to a Corvette car chow at Los Altos, California today. I looked at many C3s with the hood open. All of them had the fiberglass looking insulation pointing toward the engine. None of them had the shiny side on the engine side. I would say based on what I saw the "unfinished" side should point to the engine, and the shiny finished side should point to the hood.
kdf
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,050
Likes: 205
From: Lewes Delaware
Hello
I went to a Corvette car chow at Los Altos, California today. I looked at many C3s with the hood open. All of them had the fiberglass looking insulation pointing toward the engine. None of them had the shiny side on the engine side. I would say based on what I saw the "unfinished" side should point to the engine, and the shiny finished side should point to the hood.
kdf
I went to a Corvette car chow at Los Altos, California today. I looked at many C3s with the hood open. All of them had the fiberglass looking insulation pointing toward the engine. None of them had the shiny side on the engine side. I would say based on what I saw the "unfinished" side should point to the engine, and the shiny finished side should point to the hood.
kdf
Unfinished side toward the engine on my 73.
Fran
