Thoughts on Hood Insulation

[BillaCuda]

I have a 1965 Barracuda and My hood insulation needs replacing, but before I do that I'd like some opinions. There are two schools of thought.
#1 - The Insulation keeps the hood cool
#2 - The Insulation keeps the engine running hot

I've heard different ideas. My engine is not beefed up, but I'm wondering what the consensus is. Yay or Nay to hood insulation.

Thanks

 

[cavemanmoron]

I thought it was mostly to make the car quieter.

Rare to see hood insulation on a Valiant 100 w /6.

BTW the factory carpet and padding did not go under the rear seat of my
'64 Valiant Signet, and when i added sound deadner to the car it made
the whole car Much quieter.

 

[RedFish]

Our first 67 didn't have hood insulation. That was when I drove 45 mins one way daily.
In the summer a sudden rain shower would cause a back up on the interstate.
The steem that would rise off the hood while crawling along with the crowd was quite embarassing.
If you haven't had mice or squirrels pull the insulation down for nesting material under the throttle linkage, there's no reason not to have it.

 

[cosgig]

Well, when I owned my 64 Belvedere I thought I had to replace the hood insulation as it was getting ratty. I bought the new insulation blanket and clips and put them on. What I noticed after that was everytime I opened the hood there was a layer of fiberous dust from the insulation laying on the aircleaner lid and inner fenders. It started to bug me that this dust might be getting sucked in to the aircleaner too, so I decided that any benefits from the insulation were being negated by the dust it was causing. I ripped it out and have never liked the insulation idea since. JMO, Geof

 

[cudamark]

I thought it was mostly to make the car quieter.

Rare to see hood insulation on a Valiant 100 w /6.

BTW the factory carpet and padding did not go under the rear seat of my
'64 Valiant Signet, and when i added sound deadner to the car it made
the whole car Much quieter.

That was my understanding too.....make things a little quieter. Fix any oil leaks first though as that insulation is a ***** to clean.

 

[67Dart273]

Most of my cars have not had any underhood insulation. By that I mean, either didn't, or had been removed. I see no real reason for it.