HOT FOOT

[CHRIS HUBER]

NCRS,

I enjoy taking my 77 on long cruises, the only problem is that there is a great deal of heat around my feet. Is this normal? what can I do to make it more comfortable. The car does not run hot, and performs nicely.

thanks,

Chris

[Joe L.]

Re: HOT FOOT

Chris-----

This is a very common problem with Corvettes and, essentially, "the price of admission". First of all, though, you need to be sure that all factory-installed heat protection is installed. At a minimum, this will include the transmission tunnel insulation. I'm not totally familiar with 77s heat shielding at the moment, but it may also include a thick foam heat shield above the forward part of the transmission.

Something else that can be done is to add thin, "space age" type heat insulation under the carpet, especially in the forward footwell area.

[Joe L.]

Re: HOT FOOT

Chris-----

This is a very common problem with Corvettes and, essentially, "the price of admission". First of all, though, you need to be sure that all factory-installed heat protection is installed. At a minimum, this will include the transmission tunnel insulation. I'm not totally familiar with 77s heat shielding at the moment, but it may also include a thick foam heat shield above the forward part of the transmission.

Something else that can be done is to add thin, "space age" type heat insulation under the carpet, especially in the forward footwell area.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

Also, if for any reason, you happen to have exhaust headers installed on your car, this will exacerbate the cockpit heat problem significantly. I NEVER, EVER recommend exhaust headers to be installed on a street-driven Corvette. This is ONE of the reasons. Personally, I would NEVER, EVER use headers. NEVER, EVER! Absolutely. Positively. Period.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

Also, if for any reason, you happen to have exhaust headers installed on your car, this will exacerbate the cockpit heat problem significantly. I NEVER, EVER recommend exhaust headers to be installed on a street-driven Corvette. This is ONE of the reasons. Personally, I would NEVER, EVER use headers. NEVER, EVER! Absolutely. Positively. Period.

[Tom Freeman]

Re: Addendum

Also make sure all the holes in the firewall are sealed. Even a small one will let in a lot of heat.

tom...


The '73 Spot

[Tom Freeman]

Re: Addendum

Also make sure all the holes in the firewall are sealed. Even a small one will let in a lot of heat.

tom...


The '73 Spot

[Mark W.]

Re: Addendum

I had a '75 while living in San Antonio with the same problem and it also ran hot if I turned on the AC. The AC was of little value in the Texas heat and with the additional heat radiating thru the firewall. I did several things to solve my problems. First, I installed new heat shielding under my carpet as far up the firewall as I could get it and all the way back behind the seats. I also cut pieces to fit as much of the tunnel as I could on the inside. My car still had the tunnel heat shield underneath in place, so I didn't need to add that. Next, I flushed the radiator and added a high flow thermostat (can't remember the brand, but used the stock temperature). Before re-filling the radiator, I put a cut-off valve in the heater hose in front of the heater core to prevent hot water from flowing to the core and radiating into the passenger compartment. When I wanted the heater, which wasn't often in Texas, I just turned the valve to allow hot water to flow. When I refilled the radiator, I added a bottle of Red Line Water Wetter. I never had another problem with heat in the passenger compartment, the AC was able to keep the interior cool during the summer and the engine never ran hot.

[Mark W.]

Re: Addendum

I had a '75 while living in San Antonio with the same problem and it also ran hot if I turned on the AC. The AC was of little value in the Texas heat and with the additional heat radiating thru the firewall. I did several things to solve my problems. First, I installed new heat shielding under my carpet as far up the firewall as I could get it and all the way back behind the seats. I also cut pieces to fit as much of the tunnel as I could on the inside. My car still had the tunnel heat shield underneath in place, so I didn't need to add that. Next, I flushed the radiator and added a high flow thermostat (can't remember the brand, but used the stock temperature). Before re-filling the radiator, I put a cut-off valve in the heater hose in front of the heater core to prevent hot water from flowing to the core and radiating into the passenger compartment. When I wanted the heater, which wasn't often in Texas, I just turned the valve to allow hot water to flow. When I refilled the radiator, I added a bottle of Red Line Water Wetter. I never had another problem with heat in the passenger compartment, the AC was able to keep the interior cool during the summer and the engine never ran hot.

[Jim T.]

Re: Addendum

Without going to my parts manual Chris I assume that your 77 has air conditioning and the water valve installed from the factory that when you select max air, vacuum is applied to the valve and it closes and prevents hot coolant from circulating through the heater core. If you have one on the non-airconditioned 77's adding a valve preventing the hot coolant from circulating would help.

[Jim T.]

Re: Addendum

Without going to my parts manual Chris I assume that your 77 has air conditioning and the water valve installed from the factory that when you select max air, vacuum is applied to the valve and it closes and prevents hot coolant from circulating through the heater core. If you have one on the non-airconditioned 77's adding a valve preventing the hot coolant from circulating would help.