Hood liners/insulation pads

[tbirddmnd]

I'm a Ford guy and my daily driver is a 1997 Ford Thunderbird Limited Edition with a V8. However buddy of mine about 20 years back had a Buick Grand National and I really liked it. He no longer has it and I don't know where that car is now.

I custom make hood liner insulation pads made out of aircraft firewall/bulkhead material for Thunderbirds, Mustangs, Lincoln Mark VIIIs. I am wanting to offer them to other makes, then I remembered my buddy's Grand National which led me to the research and I made my way in here.

Rather than take up too much space here I've provided a link to the Thunderbirds and Cougars Club of America (TCCOA.com) forum where I explain about my hood liners and have clickable images. You can read the posts from others as well.

As of right now I don't have a template for the Grand Nationals or any Buick, but I would be very grateful to anyone here who could send me a template from your original made out of a clear shower curtain that you can pick up at a dollar store. More later if anyone's interested in doing that so I can help others.

How much are my liners? I charge $85 and $10 per decal if you want one. Shipping is $10. Sure beats those crazy prices I've been seeing, plus the liners I make are FAR SUPERIOR to the original and NOS/aftermarket liners. I'll knock off $10 if someone sends me a template.

Here's the link to the TCCOA.com thread:
Thunderbird, Cougar, Mark VIII hoodliners - TCCoA Forums

Thanks,

Gonzalo Duque "Gonzo"
tbirddmnd@att.net
Westland, Michigan

[Getchasum]

Gonzalo, How will you do the molded area with a templete from the clear shower curtain. There's no doubt you will sale them if you can produce an oem looking pad. I looked at your link and your quality looks outstanding. so I'm sure that would not be a problem. I can provide the shower curtain but once again it's more than just the shape, as our pads have a sm molded area as well.

I'm ready to help get this project rolling........

[tbirddmnd]

Hi Scott,

Thanks for your words! The liners I make will adhere and form to the contours of the underhood. You can see that in the images of my Tbird and the black 98 Lincoln Mark VIII LSC. The material is not stiff like the factory liner, it's flexible and can be rolled for shipping. The decal(s) come loose and it's up to the installer to decide where to put them - they're very easy to place on the liner.

As for the shower curtain, one that you can get at any dollar store will help in making the template. Make sure the curtain isn't one of those flimsy ones. A couple of sawhorses and some plywood make a great work surface if you don't have a large table. Simply lay the original liner on top of the shower curtain, placing some decent weights on the liner so that it doesn't move and then trace out the edges, holes and light cut outs (if any) with a black Sharpie fine point. As you go around, press down where the raised contour areas are, in essence "flattening out" the original liner. Don't worry - when you let your hand up the liner will re-form back to its' shape. When you're done just roll up or fold the shower curtain and mail it to me. I can make a template from it.

If there's someone in the metro Detroit area where I'm at I could also use one of their liners to make a template from and I'll even do the install.

My liner is made from aircraft firewall bulkhead material, it's approved by the FAA and as such must stand up to forces and temperature fluctuations that our cars don't experience. It's far superior to the factory liner and the Dynamat stuff. Mine has been on since the summer, and I checked it yesterday when I was looking at my fluid levels. With all this snow and road salt my liner is still spotless. My engine could use a steam cleaning though!

The liner will ship rolled with instructions and decal(s), along with my cell phone number for any assistance during installation.

Thanks!

Gonzo
tbirddmnd@att.net

[tbirddmnd]

Here's a high-res pic of the very first 1998 Lincoln Mark VIII I did in the early fall, and it shows the way my liners adhere and form to the underhood contoured areas, along with a custom vinyl decal:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2172/...03c45822_b.jpg

When I cut this liner it was totally flat, once I installed it with the adhesive I pressed it down onto the hood underside, thereby having it ride the ridges and low points.

If there are any GN drivers in the metro Detroit area I'm willing to install it for them like I did for the owner of this gorgeous Mark VIII. All I need to get going on these is a template for your cars. Remember these are made from aircraft firewall material and are FAA approved.

Thanks!

Gonzalo Duque "Gonzo"
tbirddmnd@att.net

[bbac]

Hi Gonzalo,

I'm from Mt. Clemens MI. And I have a used and brand new hoodliner you can take a look at if you wanted to travel this way. they are at my place of business and we are open 6 days a week. You can email me at rharder@outdrs.net for more information. Small world as well, my buddy is a member of TCCOA.

Take care
Ryan

[tbirddmnd]

Thanks Ryan!

I'll be getting in touch with you; I'm looking forward to helping the GN guys out!

[Peter Swett]

subscribe;)

[tbirddmnd]

It was a pleasure meeting you and getting to see your awesome GN! Thanks for allowing me to make a template from your '87 hoodliner, which should fit the '86s as well. Glad you liked my 97 Thunderbird with my liner installed on it.

I'll post up when I have a hoodliner made - price will be $85 for the liner, $10 per each decal and $10 for shipping. I see there are 3 decals - BUICK, TURBOCHARGED and the "6" logo. My liners really do outperform the stock ones. The holes will be present for re-using the plastic tabs, this one has 9 holes.

Thanks again!

[SlowBlackCar]

Gonzo,

Sounds like a great idea! Would love to see pictures when one is produced.

[tbirddmnd]

I'm working on it, I'll have some emblems made as well and show them all together.

[sr-71]

nice work definetly waiting to see end product.

[corymc]

i cant wait to see

[TurboWanabe]

subscribed!

[tbirddmnd]

Thanks!

I have the template now, I can cut liners but I'm waiting for decals to come back so I can show what they look like together. However it's best for the user to mount the decals once the liner is in before the hood goes back on the car. The decals travel better when they're not applied so they'll come loose.

Almost there!

[GNnewbie]

subscribed