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Under hood insulation???

steve_kibbe

steve_kibbe

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I am in the process of prepping my truck for paint and wonder should I replace the insulation under the hood or leave it off.

I'm in South Carolina, so extreme cold temperatures are not a concern.
 
steve_kibbe said:
I am in the process of prepping my truck for paint and wonder should I replace the insulation under the hood or leave it off.

I'm in South Carolina, so extreme cold temperatures are not a concern.
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Well, I think it has a couple of purposes. One, it insulates the hood from the heat of the engine to probably protect the paint on the outside of the hood. Two, it serves as a blanket to smother flames in the event of a fire, which is why it's held on with cheap plastic fasteners.

So... I'd replace it, but that's just my opinion.
 
txfiremank5 said:
Two, it serves as a blanket to smother flames in the event of a fire, which is why it's held on with cheap plastic fasteners.
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Very interesting. Never thought of that before but it makes sense. :thinking:
 
Yeppers, .. it's not a perfect system, but it helps... a lot. If nothing else, it will usually help keep it slowed down for a while until something else can be used to knock it down.

It is also wise to replace them every so often. Otherwise it falls down on the fire, while it's also loaded up with grease and grime from years and years of being under there... which probably won't help much.
 
Mine is greasy!

The hood insulation on my 82 K20 diesel is SOAKED with grease and sludge!..I bet if my motor caught fire,it would be like throwing a gallon of diesel on the flames when it falls on the motor!..maybe I should rip it out!- :thinking: -its already got a few spots missing,and every time my head rubs against it,I come out looking like the "Fonz".. :doah: :( :mad: ..

It takes forever for snow to melt off my diesel's hood too--but my 79 C10 without insulation melts it in 5 minites!--another good reason to ditch it!..I think it does help kill the noise from the diesel motor though.. :crazy:
 
Cost is $38 on lmc and serves good purpose for multiple reasons as stated before so it might be worth it
 
I remember reading either here or somewhere else that someone posted they had taken their insulation out and the heat from the motor caused the paint on their hood to bubble. :doah:


I've had a couple cars with no insulation though and never had that problem :dunno:
 
I've seen people use the reflective insulation that can be bought in rolls. Don't know how well it will put out a fire, but I'm sure it insulates just fine.
 
A lot of good points to consider.

I was wondering because my DD doesn't have it, didn't come with it from the factory either. My 72 doesn't have any either.

As for deadining the sound, I think thats a waste of time :D ever heard a 6.2 with dual glass packs and some tls's rolling down the interstate :yikes: :ears:
 
steve_kibbe said:
As for deadining the sound, I think thats a waste of time :D ever heard a 6.2 with dual glass packs and some tls's rolling down the interstate :yikes: :ears:
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I dont think that hood insalation would help you very much on quiting that down. But I bet that sure is loud. :laugh:
To bad you are far away from me because I am just about to take mine off and it is in good shape, and I would let you have it for cheap. :D

later
jmd
 
sorry for the noob question :D but what exactly is the insulation for ? I've heard if the engine catches on fire it will drop down and smother the fire.
 
txfiremank5 said:
Well, I think it has a couple of purposes. One, it insulates the hood from the heat of the engine to probably protect the paint on the outside of the hood. Two, it serves as a blanket to smother flames in the event of a fire, which is why it's held on with cheap plastic fasteners.

So... I'd replace it, but that's just my opinion.
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mine cought on fire!!!!!! it is gone now :haha:
 
steve_kibbe said:
This adds a new twist to it. :thinking: :thinking: :thinking:
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gotta realize one thing.... I didnt have an air cleaner :doah:
was 17 and trying to see if i got better power.... but then backfire through carb... cought fire and I decided to put the air cleaner back on....
 
I replaced mine with aluminum bubble insulation....

makes the engine compartment very nice looking, doesnt hold grease and oil, insulates better than the jute felt oil rag mouse stuff
 
REMOVE IT! if it is old it will become flamable. it is fiberglass like thats in house but of a higher quality. i took mine off when i got the truck for my b-day and i live in the bay area where it has been 103*+ lately and no bubbles in the paint or anything like that. for an older vehicle it is much safer to remove it. i may only be 17 but i know what im talking about. trust me on this one. take it out
 
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