I was cleaning my 05 GT up to get her ready to sell, and found where some mice had eaten 2 holes about the size of a quarter in the black molded material that is underneth the hood. What is this piece exactly called and where can I order a new one? It is the piece that has the raised mustang design. Is it hard to change?

 

That's hilarious, I was on vacation for 1 1/2 weeks and I got home and started up my GT. I lifted the hood to listen to the ol' 4.6 and here is a mouse making a home on top of my battery. So now I have holes in my insulation. I thought I was the only one.

 

If you mean the hood insulation that is afixed to the bottom side of the hood with those little plastic push pins, it is not hard to hard to remove, even without the right tool. I used two small flat blade screwdrivers to pull the plastic pins out a little then a pair of curved needle-nosed pliers to pry them the rest of the way out. If you were saving the insulation to reinstall it, use some tape to hold it in position until you get all the retainers out.

You may break of loose a few of the fasteners so be prepared to go out and get a few more of the same basic shape/size.

You could just remove the insulation completely. If you are lucky, as I was, the entire under section of your hood will be painted. Some only come painted on the outer edges, however.

I think the under side of the hood looks just as good with no insulation and I have not had any paint problems due to engine heat for over a year. Some may say slightly more "noise" may be heard from the engine without the insulation but to me it is "music".

 

I took it off so it wouldn't rub on my Whipple ! No issues almost a year.

 

Mine isn't exactly tightly sealed around the outer edge. Any ideas on how to secure it better? Having a tight fit all the way around will look a whole lot better than parts of it hanging down.

Jon

 

Lots of animals get into these things. I know a couple people who have had squirrels and chipmunks crawl into their AC pipes.

Never had a mouse or anything in mine. I did find something bigger, once, though. This past spring on a cold morning I was heading to work. Hopped in and started to turn the key. Just as the engine started to turn over I heard this horrible crying sound and freaked out. Didn't start the car and sat listening for a moment. Next thing I know I see a fox scurry away across the grass to some nearby bushes. Crazy critters!

As far as I know, that bit is for sound dampening. (on a muscle car...far out...)

Anywho, the one on my 'Stang is pretty matched up, but on a previous car I had it was rather loose. I got some cheap velcro strips (I think at a supermarket) and went around the edges. That way it was firm up against the hood, but I could remove it if I had to. Worked well...at least for a year or so.

 

I took mine off and cleaned it with Autoglym Degreaser had to use two applications on one spot. Then I hosed if off and let it dry in the sun. I used A detailing spray to clean the bare hood. I broke several of the black push pins. So I went to the local Ford Dealer and they wanted $5.63 per pin, a whole set plus tax would have cost me $89.00. So I walked across the street to an autoparts store got the same pin for .28 cents apiece or $4.63 all in. Looks great all cleaned up.

 

Mine looks pretty nice setting in the corner of my garage. Took it off so the Saleen blower wouldn't rub on it.

 

The insulation is there for sound deadening (who cares?) and if there is an engine fire the push pins are supposed to melt dropping it on the fire and smothering it.

If my engine catches on fire I don't want the car back. The insurance company can have it at that point.

Plus it looks like crap. My $.02.

 

I just give out the information on how to clean the hood insulator to those that might be interested. I do agree with you that the insulator the way it is designed and held on does not look great.