Interior Firewall Insulation

[Paul R. Cantin #9332]

67 Convertible--Triple Black--300 H.P. --Factory A/C--Power Glide. Daily Driver.

Dash is out(New Dash Pads)

Factory jute is in reasonably good shape.

Should it be replaced with Dyno-Mat or a similar insulation?

http://www.autotrader.com/view/paulcantins@comcast.net

[Jack H.]

Re: Interior Firewall Insulation

That's your call.... Do you want the car to retain factory originality on components that are seldom seen? If so, leave the original jute in place. If you want to 'upgrade' the heat insulation properties of the cockpit, then remove the jute and install one of the modern thermal barrier alternatives.

Cockpit heating results, to a large degree, from reflected highway road surface heat. The jute carpet insulation addressed two issues: (1) reduce cockpit noise by 'deadening' sound, and (2) reduce cockpit heat by acting as a thermal insulation barrier between the body fiberglass and the carpeting. Most of the insulation sold in reproduction today is a multi-color alternative to the factory original brownish jute....

[Patrick H.]

Re: Interior Firewall Insulation

Leave it.

You're better off putting the newer stuff under the carpet, and leaving the factory firewall insulation in place. Much more heat comes from the toe and floor areas than up on the firewall/dash area.

Patrick

[Paul R. Cantin #9332]

Re: Interior Firewall Insulation

Since this car is driven daily,(year round)drivability,comfort,and appearance
are my objectives.

I've already installed Dynamat on every square inch of the front and rear floors and the transmission tunnel.

This car has a history of unbearable cockpit heat.

Every hole in the firewall has been plugged, new transmission boot,new underside transmission insulation.

The purpose of my post was to determine if application of a thermal barrier other than original would be detrimental.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Interior Firewall Insulation

Detrimental? No. A major PITA? Yes, and I doubt worth the time and effort. If the Dynamat is thin enough you could install it UNDER the factory jute. I wouldn't, but you could. I just don't think the results (i.e. true drop in interior temp) would justify the effort.

Realize that the heat in a midyear coupe is due more to lack of ventilation and the high amount of greenhouse space than it is due to radiation through the firewall. If you want a car with even more heat, try a Shark coupe without air.

You'd get even more benefit, since it's a driver, by installing one of the aftermarket AC systems.

Patrick