vin # and heat shield

[sscam69]

I have a 1979 L-82 shark and i am well aware of these vehicles running hot in the interior of the car in hot days. I have been thinking of doing a few things to try and reduce this. I need some advice and i am hoping that someone has performed these same modifications and can give me some feedback on thier results.

The car is being modified in several ways. The engine is being rebuilt and she will be putting out about 400hp, i am installing dual electric fans (no name brands, bought them at checkers) and changing out the old worn bushings for some energy suspension urethane bushings. She has a new radiator and water pump.

For the hot interior i was planning to buy some insulation, unfortunately checkers, pepboys, autozone don't carry any sinces its a slow selling item (i was hoping to buy it localy to save shipping time and money). I was thinking of putting exhaust wrap around the headers and up to the muffler or at least wrapping to the point past the seats since the pipes run right under you and contribute to the interior heat. This also keeps the exhaust hot and flowing. The boot was worn out around the transmission housing, its been replaced but i noticed that there was no insulation. I have looked in ecklers, zip, and mid america and there is no insulation for the transmission housing for my 79. Why is that? Was there is design change that helped displace the heat therefore not requireing insulation? The vehicle will have a dual exhaust with no cat, H-pipe and borla mufflers, as these produce the least back pressure in the exhaust.

I was also hoping if someone could help me decipher the vin

1z8749s432451

any help or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated!

 

[1979toy]

Vin number is an easy one.

1z8749s432451

First digit of 1 means the the car was built in the USA.

Fifth digit of 4 means that you have a 225 HP motor, the L-82.

The last five digits are the production run number. Your car was the 32,451st Corvette off of the production line in 1979. The total production run in 1979 was 53,807.

Insulation is not as easy. Try Summit or Jeg's, both offer free shipping and have delivered to my door in 3 working days.

 

[69MyWay]

Sounds like a fun project.

I have mentioned this to others before and now you. The Corvette has a problem with the vent system up in the cowling or "black hole" if you prefer.

Pull the carpet and front lower kick panels out. Get in there with a bright light and observe the large vent flap. You may only have one on that car just on the passenger side.

Get new seals, cover it over, do whatever you need to do. Otherwise, hot outside air just keeps flowing in. During the Winter, cold air will just keep rushing in.

As far as insulation. Not a bad idea to go to a Corvette vendor and get an original style heat shielding for the trans hump and floor area. That goes on from underneath. The price is not bad.

I am trying something unique on mine. I first had a bid by a local truck spray in bed liner company. He wanted around $300 to spray bed liner stuff in. That was top and bottom when I had the body off the frame and laying on its side.

Well, I got ahead of myself and finished the entire belly in production quality rubberized coating. For the inside of the car and firewall, I was able to pick up the truck bed liner material at the local paint supply. I got the kit (Gator Liner) and a disposable gun for under $60. It will spray approx 1/4 to 3/8" thick the size of a small pick up bed.

Very soon I will be spraying the entire inner firewall and floor. I am assuming this will cut noise, vibration, surface heat, and make the car feel more solid. I am also making my own 3/16" aluminum heat shields on the lower firewall and front floors.

This plus the standard heat resistant insulation under the carpet should make for a cool floor.

 

[Red73BB]

Heat shields

Last weekend I installed new carpets and heat shields. Before when I drove my car to work (32 miles) the trans hump and floor would be so hot my legs and feet would feel like they were on fire. I drove her in yesterday, and after getting to work I put my hand on the trans hump and it was just warm to the touch. I bought the heat sheild kit (6 pieces) from SmartParts. The carpet had padding which also helped. The only problem was bolting the seats down. I needed bolts 3/4" longer! :J

Chris, I like your idea about the spray bed liner.

 

[DDLS3]

I like your idea Red73BB. I may well add that when I re-do my interior. I wrapped my headers with a DEI kit that I bought from Summit. It made a huge difference all by itself. Also if anyone has access to a McMaster-Carr catalog, they supply specialty items to the mills, and will accept visa or mc. They carry (among 10000 other things), ceramic fiber sheet down to 1/8" thick with a very high R value. This is where I'm headed when the time comes.

 

[baby blue 75]

Heat build up

I'm going to use the ceramic paint they use on headers. its also available from Hobby Shops that specialize in Radio Control. It can be obtained from Nelsons - an RC Engine specialist in pint and quart cans - just brush it on. I intend to coat the entire passenger compartment, firewall, transmission area top and bottom.