C3 '68 Underbody Heat Shield Insulation

[Ted F.]

I've already looked w/o luck for an answer regarding fit of the underbody heat-insulating blankets in the archives, AIM, Judging Manual, Service Manual, etc. Transmission is currently out of the car, so this is the perfect time to replace the old insulation. Just bought left and right hand insulation pieces from Paragon. Existing insulation looks like it was cut (what's left of it) and folded/tucked on top of the metal heat shields (between the metal heat shields and fiberglass foot wells under the car). This fold starts approximately at the front of the metal heat shield (closest to engine) and runs back towards the rear of the car for approximately eight inches. The new Paragon insulation pieces won't fit tight against the tunnel fiberglass and lower vertical firewall surface without a similar cut or fold. My questions are:
1) Were original insulation pieces cut or folded in anyway?
2) Are the Paragon pieces just poor reproductions for fit (too big)?

As always, thanks in advance for any information.

Ted

[Ted F.]

Re: C3 '68 Underbody Heat Shield Insulation

I post as a follow-up to my original question. After spending some additional time working with the Paragon insulation, I make the following comments. My '68 may be unique but, I tend to doubt that. The insulation pieces can be installed w/o the cutting of relief slots or folds (tight to the transmission tunnel and lower firewall) if you enlarge the holes (don't use the precut holes in the insulation) for the front metal heat shield brackets. This assumes that you want to use existing attaching clips and roughly center the insulation under the metal and plastic heat shields. This is especially true on the driver's side piece. On the passenger's side piece, you need to angle the insulation so that the back of the blanket is not square to the frame cross member. I could see these pieces not lining up for the battery cable clip (passenger side) or back-up light switch wiring clip (driver's side), however, the front brackets for the metal heat shields are relatively fixed within a couple of inches. Driver's side hole was off by approximately 3 1/2 inches. I hope this information helps someone on a future installation.

[Jim T.]

Re: C3 '68 Underbody Heat Shield Insulation

Ted I have a orginal owner 68 and I have a question about the plastic heat shields you have mentioned. Is your car built after February 1968 or before? I don't know what plastic heat shields you are referencing. Still have a partial of the original insulation on the drivers side. It is still attached to the bottom of the firewall and stops at the end of the metal shield on the floor of the car. It has been like this for 25 years. If I was going to install it I would replace the underbody tunnel insulation just to have some new stuff there. Did you get the replacement insulation from Dr. Rebuild?

[Ted F.]

Re: C3 '68 Underbody Heat Shield Insulation

Jim - my car was built in July '68. There are two white plastic shields that are mounted on the lower vertical side of the firewall. One on the driver and one on the passenger side. I can send you a digital picture if you would like. I purchased the replacement insulation from Paragon. The problem that I encountered is that the replacement insulation pieces don't fit if you use the precut holes. If you modify the holes and also cut new holes, you can make them work.