I wanted to replace my "rats nest" of hood/bonnet insulation to look as original as possible and cost effectively. If you've looked around some options can be quite expensive.

I paid about $50 including shipping for a fiberglass hood insulation called Metro HI1from Rock Auto. Here's an example from Amazon. Had almost enough to do two hoods. This is very similar to the OEM and I was impressed with quality and ease of the cutting to an exact fit.

 

Looks nice!

Cheers
DD

 

That looks really nice, Doug.
How did you hang the insulation from the center of the hood? Nix has no structure there at all.
(';')

 

There are three prongs welded to the hood. I reused the hardware that simply pushes on to secure. Must be a Series III thing, because I recall seeing them in the past.

 

Also just a note, this installed with no glue. It slips in the side channels just like the OEM one I took out.

 

Did you glue it or can it be removed? The original pads are removable, just like all the exhaust system parts were not welded....

 

sorry your -not glued- post came after I asked.

 

Very nice finish. New liners make a big difference to engine bay appearance!

My old liner was seriously deteriorated and looked terrible, a new after-market liner has made a huge difference. However it is self adhesive, so the centre fasteners now become somewhat decorative. Can't see that I'll ever need to remove it though.

 

Figured the insulation was icing on the cake after 20+ hours of engine detailing. VERY therapeutic, one tin of Motorwerks metal polish, Cloth harness tape, and a few bloody knuckles. Almost how I want it!!

 

Well I thought mine was looking pretty good, but I think you've applied the Elbow Grease even more generously, well done!!

Being such a prominent feature, the manifold shield is another make or break with detailing the XK - your looks great. Is it polished or did you paint it? I took the lazy option and sprayed mine with VHT silver engine paint to achieve a similar look.

 

Ooo! That's Pretty!
Ya wanna come do mine?
(';')

 

Hi Dugger,

Your engine detail is great.

The bonnet insulation looks fantastic as well - very close to OEM look.

I used a thin gauge sheet of aluminium which is held in with the existing centre line fasteners, whilst the edges rest on the outer bonnet channels without adhesive.

The insulation is stuck to the upper side of the aluminium and so is sandwiched between said aluminuim and the underside of the bonnet.

I'm happy with mine, but yours looks way better.

Cheers,

Nigel

 

I polished the manifold heat shield, not painted as follows:

600 grit sandpaper on corroded spots
Moved to 1000 grit
Moved to 0000 steel wool dipped in Motorwerx Metal Polish (I'm sure most brands would be fine)
Attached a mini-buffer to my drill (the one that comes in those headlight repair kits) and buffed with the metal polish. Probably about 3 passes.

I did sand and paint the bolts that attach with high heat paint

It's crazy how these modern engines with their plastic covers are so simple in comparison. This XK motor is just so pretty, it's worth it!!

NOTE: I removed the heat shield prior to doing this. 1 minute job with plenty of WD40 on those bolts prior.

I'm now trying to do the same on the cat converter.

P.S. Nigel, that's a pretty slick solution you found as well. Has a cool custom, but not TOO custom look.

 

Love all those shiny bits that look like the do honest work.

Much better than some plastic cover over an unfinished
lump.

Where do you get cloth harness tape?

 

Found it on Amazon.


Quite versatile and just looks great.

 

Points:


1. The boot insulation on my car resembled a "moth eaten bear rug". Phrase not coined by me, but an apt description. I removed it. A bit of a tussle with the press on clips working upside down. Saved 'em, why, I dunno. I tried to polish the paint. No go. unstained, but dull, as the color coat before clear. One day, I will spray it with "bed liner" paint. If it had any heat or sound insulation qualities, I don't miss them.


2. When the DOHC was removed, I cleaned up the bay a bit. Oven cleaner of the inch thick grunge on the front cross member. I found a can of Duplicolor that was close to Grosvenor brown and sprayed parts of the inner wings. and, a bit of aluminum paint on the fire will insulation. Black paint on more of the black tin. The lump that went in was clean. More than decent. The lump came with a big triangular
intake sound deadener. Looked like an engine cover. Deleted. And the PCM is in a nice ribbed aluminum housing. too nice to hide. I made straps to attach to the wing braces and suspended the PCM from them. always had a weakness for ribbed alloy!!!


Jaguar was out on errands yesterday, purring.


Carl

 

very very nice, great job!
Looks the mutts nutts

 

Engine covers, oh yeah.


I've done a couple of small tasks on my daughters VW PASSAT AWD V6.


Covers laced together cover the entire engine bay. Why?
I don't know. a quarter released the hold down screws, sorta like the Dzus of old.


I nice Hemi headed DOHC V6. Why hide it ?


I was tempted to dump the plastic. but, not my car, so I out it back on.


Does it have an engineering reason. air flow of some type?


Protect the hood from engine heat. contain engine noises?


I don't know.


Carl