I ran my Motor City Mold hood without an insulating blanket for over 5 years - never a problem.
underhood insulation removed?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 592
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From: Salem oregon
underhood insulation removed?
i have seen some vettes with the padding underneath the hood removed they either painted something on it or painted it smooth and i kind of like the look.. is there a major purpose for the padding? i pulled it back and looked with a flashlight it looks like its painted the same as the rest of the car....
Last edited by c5sean85; Apr 21, 2011 at 12:07 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
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From: Belleville Mich.
I believe, It's purpose is a fire blanket. GM manual calls it "hood insulator"
Many have pulled their's off & painted murals,etc.
After market hoods come w/out the blankets.
It's just your individual preference.
Many have pulled their's off & painted murals,etc.
After market hoods come w/out the blankets.
It's just your individual preference.
Last edited by bumble-z; Apr 21, 2011 at 01:05 PM.
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Underhood blanket ?
It mainly to keep the noise down , but it's also saves your paint on your hood from frying itself to till it's gone. I've seen some Vettes with out it but their hood paint is most likely going have a early death ! 
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In days of potential carburetor fires, the hood insulator may have had something to do with smothering a fire.
In all of my cars since '65 with carburetor fires, it burned through easily because they tend to get contaminated with grease and other engine compartment contaminants. They were often made of horse hair. So I doubt the hood insulator ever had anything to do with fire suppression. More than likely it was to aid in reducing carburetor backfire damage to the hood/paint.
The hood insulator purpose (now) is to reduce engine compartment noise into the cabin.
Modern hotter running engine compartment heat may harm the thin base coat/clear coat paint paint w/o the hood insulator.
If you chose to do this, you may need to finish the underneath better with more clear coat to make it look more presentable if car shows are your goal.
In all of my cars since '65 with carburetor fires, it burned through easily because they tend to get contaminated with grease and other engine compartment contaminants. They were often made of horse hair. So I doubt the hood insulator ever had anything to do with fire suppression. More than likely it was to aid in reducing carburetor backfire damage to the hood/paint.
The hood insulator purpose (now) is to reduce engine compartment noise into the cabin.
Modern hotter running engine compartment heat may harm the thin base coat/clear coat paint paint w/o the hood insulator.
If you chose to do this, you may need to finish the underneath better with more clear coat to make it look more presentable if car shows are your goal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,411
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From: slidell louisiana
noise and meant to melt the plastic clips and cover engine in event of fire. I have a painted underhood and have not had more noise or heat and the look is clean and great for shows as well. I have many friends that have removed the liner and no regrets either
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,119
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From: Huntington tx
If you don't have the money to have a professional do a airbrush job, do it yourself. I don't have money to spend like that so I took mine off and cleaned it gently. Then used a can of flat black spray paint, let dry. Came back and used Matte clearcoat, let dry. Then taped it up and that took most of my time so patience is required. Used regular automotive paint and brushed it on several coats. Looks great to me. Fancy it ain't.
