Possible good news on repro. part.

[Majestic]

I recently purchased a reproduction hood insulation pad for a regular 84 Mustang. While making payment arrangements I asked the vendor if they did custom pieces. She said that I just need to send her a pattern and they can make whatever I need. So... I am going to trim the one they send me and then copy the pattern on to cardboard and return it to them. Here is the best part. Shipping included, these won't run more than $50 and probably not even $40.

I want to wait until I get the regular one I ordered before getting too excited. I need to make sure that the quality is good enough to proceed with the new ones. However, I think this may be a good deal for us.

Chris

[Pat_in_L.A.]

Way to go! Keep up the good work.

[Majestic]

Follow up...

Well, the fact that Paul is working on reproduction units already, and the fact that the unit I got was a cheap piece of junk, I'm not going to mess with this anymore. Seriously, this insulator came in a box about three times the size of a shoe box. I thought there was no way the insulator was in there. When I opened the box, whoomp there it was.... Cheap, cheap, cheap. Stay away from the Ebay hood insulators. They suck.

[Eyelawdoc]

Thanks for the warning! You might also post a review of the part on this board. Sorry you found out the hard way!

[Ken Potter]

If someone wants to make their own and doesn't care about originality I have a roll of black 1/4" exactoboard ( same stuff as insulators are made from ) that has a fire retardant black cheesecloth laminated to one side. It wouldn't be molded / formed but will do the trick. It's 48" wide also so you would need to trace your old one out and cut it from there. If I can remember to bring it, or even have the room, I'll bring it to Nashville.

[vrinner]

So now I got two of these...

hood insulator pads, and I was just wondering what purpose they serve? To protect the hood paint from heat? Noise? Cover up the ugly underside of the hood?

just curious.

Thanks!

[dvcrogers]

I think they were there to pull down in case you had a fire. You know, cover it up kinda.

Or is it to soak up all the oil and dirt! I can't remember.:p

[lonchair]

Re: So now I got two of these...

Originally posted by vrinner
hood insulator pads, and I was just wondering what purpose they serve? To protect the hood paint from heat? Noise? Cover up the ugly underside of the hood?

just curious.

Thanks!

As it was explaned to me once, the insulator is there for two reasons. 1) To insulate the hood from engine heat and 2) to drop down over the engine in the event of an engine fire and help smother the flames. Thats why the attatching clips are weak plastic (so they will melt fast).

Either way, I don't think it is worth much more than visualy finishing off the underside of the hood.

[Ken Potter]

Yes they're primarily designed to help "snuff" out engine fires. We used to manufacture a hood insulator for the large flat front type buses that are used at airports to ferry people from the rental car lots.