Can someone tell me why the 1972 Corvette does not have insulation on the bottom side of the hood? Most other corvettes in years before and after the 72 have it. Would there be any benefit to putting in on my 72 big block?
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Re: C3 - Hood Insulation
Jim------
The only 1972 and older Corvettes which ever had hood insualtion were SOME 1969 big blocks. Even for these cars, the hood insualtion was just a small piece mounted on the very forward section of the hood (where the insulation did practically no good, anyway). No other pre-1973 Corvette used hood insulation of any kind.
In 1973, the first relatively complete hood insualtion was installed on Corvettes.
Why didn't earlier Corvettes, particularly C3s, have hood insulation? Only GM knows, for sure, and they've likely forgotten. However, I strongly expect that the reason was hood clearance. The C3 hood was very low profile and created all sorts of underhood fitment problems (that's why all C3 intake manifolds had to be redesigned from 67 and earlier). Full hood insulation was scheduled to be used for 69 production, but was cancelled. I expect the reason was fitment problems observed once someone actually tried to install the insulation.
For 1973, the hood configuration changed and additional clearance was available. So, the hood insulation returned at that time.
Keep in mind that the insulation available in these early years was a relatively thick material which exacerbated fitment problems. In today's world, relatively thin, but highly effective, insulating material is available. If it had been available in the late 60s, who knows if it might have been used on the cars? If you wish, you can obtain a piece of this modern material and cut it to fit the underside of the hood. Using the original style fastners, it could be attached. It would not be original and it would "stand out like a sore thumb" (most of those that I've seen have an aluminum foil skin), but it would be VERY effective in protecting the hood paint from the otherwise inevitable heat damage.In Appreciation of John Hinckley -
Re: C3 - Hood Insulation
Joe
You mentioned above that the only pre '72 cars that had hood insulation were "...some 69 big blocks.". My 69 small block had the small piece of insulation when I bought it in 1971 (It has been replaced but the pins and retainers are original). Most other 69's I've seen don't but I'm sure that there are others that do. Just my 2 cents.
JeffComment
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Re: C3 - Hood Insulation
My 43K mile 2-owner 350/350 69 has the remnants of the hood insulation. It had three pins--two remain, one has fallen off, but you can see where the glue was for that, etc.
Mike ErnstComment
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