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Today I got a new GM chrome open element air cleaner for my 77 Vette.
I put it on, and before tightly closing the hood, I put a piece of clay on the top of the cleaner to check the clearance.
It 'seems' that there is no problem with the air cleaner being too high.
The thing I'm worried about is that there are these plastic 'nipple-like' things on the underside of the hood. One of them is just in the middle (above there air cleaner). I think it is touching the cleaner, and may dent it.
What are these plastic things?
What is their function?
I want to saw the middle one off (Later this summer I will install my performer intake so then the cleaner will sit a little bit higher.).
Your car originally had insulation that fastened to the underside of the hood. Those are part of the retainers that held it in place. They can be removed with heat, but use caution, you could easily singe the paint on the hood topside.
Last edited by 73BBVette; May 24, 2018 at 08:44 AM.
As like 73BBVette mentioned. Using a heat gun will work.
IF you use a heat gun..heat up the pin area and you will test and see when the adhesive is getting soft. When it is COLD the adhesive is very hard. When you heat it up...it will soften up and get spongy. When you get it to this point...then the adhesive will be able to be peeled off. the underside of the hood.
IF you have concerns about damaging your paint...run your hand on the outside surface when doing this. You can pretty much tell when you are getting the panel hot and YET not hotter as it would be if it were out in the sun.
Heat it up and then take the heat away so the heat can soak in...then apply more heat and keep doing this. They will come off.
Your car originally had insulation that fastened to the underside of the hood. Those are part of the retainers that held it in place.
Why did they use insulation on the hood?
I would think that it keeps the heat of the engine inside the bay...?
=>Warmer engine bay => warmer air (intake) => performance drop...
Isn't it better when there is no insulation in place so the heat can radiate, and 'get outside'.
That was one of GMs not so great ideas. The engineers found the engine bay was not hot enough to their liking so added a blanket to make it warmer / hotter. Actually, it was a sound deadener for all 180 H.P. through a single exhaust. Go figure?
Anyway, just take a Dremel Tool with a cut off disk and wacked all of them off the hood.
You can remove the prongs if all you need is the half inch or so space for your air breather. However, I removed the ones on my 73 with a heat gun. With the hood off, it takes minimal effort. I had a couple that were actually rusted and or missing a prong. Just going to sand and paint over.
I thought it was to protect the hood paint from heat
along with protecting the underside from any oils that may spatter on it.
Also..stop and think about ALL the paint this is being saved due to it not being painted on the underside.
40,00 cars years for example is a LOT of paint. And do not forget about the labor to prep it and so on. It adds up. It is just a thought that I though kinda could have plausibility.
I seriously doubt that it being a noise barrier had much validity.
ODD FACT:
One of the major air lines left 2 olives out of the First Class salads and in ONE year they saved $40,000.
That is odd due it is not specifically an option..or at least in my Fact Book is it is not showing the under hood noise barrier. All I am seeing is a 'Convenience' option.
YES....I guess if it was marketed as a 'noise barrier'...and GM could make money off of people being sold as it being an option. I am sure many people did not want their Corvette be 'noisy'.
I read in a Corvette history book that some customers were complaining of "engine roar" during test drives. One of the big wigs at corp hdqtr decided that maybe a blanket insulator would help boost sales for those skeptical, finicky customers.
Weren't customers ridiculous back then? Imagine, a sports car with engine roar. We'll have none of that! And 175 horse is plenty, right?
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; May 25, 2018 at 09:28 AM.
I read in a Corvette history book that some customers were complaining of "engine roar" during test drives. One of the big wigs at corp hdqtr decided that maybe a blanket insulator would help boost sales for those skeptical, finicky customers.
Weren't customers ridiculous back then? Imagine, a sports car with engine roar. We'll have none of that! And 175 horse is plenty, right?
Buy a sports car...get a sports car. As for the 175HP...well that is what that is back then. But YES...I fell it was kinda ridiculous.
But now look at what we have today...and just think..it started way back then.
I thought it was to help suppress flames in case of and engine fire. the glue would melt and the cloth would drop so when you open the hood flames wont be huge.
Hood: What are these?
along with protecting the underside from any oils that may spatter on it.
