38Buick 80C Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 I have some cloth insulation sleeves around some fuel lines on the '38. As far as I know they are original 80 year old stuff (probably asbestos). I think I have seen some restored cars with modern clean white insulation of similar appearance. I'm looking for a source. I am pretty sure I have seen it at Hershey or in a catalog somewhere but looking at some of the usual suppliers websites I haven't been able to locate it. Even been to a couple big Ford parts supplier sites. Anyone know what I am talking about and where to get it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 Can't recall where but I have seen it for sell somewhere. The reason I post though is to ask have you considered washing yours. Seriously, if it is in good condition and with it still on the heat tube let it soak in HOT water for a couple minutes then run a thick bead of Dawn over it then scrub with a short bristle brush and rinse under HOT water again. You'll be surprised how clean it will come. First one I did I was surprised to see the Buick Engine Green paint thick on one side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 (edited) I have gotton that cloth insulation for the choke line from the exaughst line to the choke. I got it from CARS. Edited April 16, 2016 by Bill Stoneberg (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 McMaster-Carr sells woven ceramic cloth tubing in various diameters. Works perfectly and looks original. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bhigdog Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 37 minutes ago, Restorer32 said: McMaster-Carr sells woven ceramic cloth tubing in various diameters. Works perfectly and looks original. McMaster-Carr..............Source of all things..................Bob 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Restorer32 Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 We couldn't live without McMaster-Carr. Amazing variety of stuff in their 3952 page catalog. Order by 5:00 pm and our order is here by 11:00 the next morning and very, very seldom is anything back ordered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barney Eaton Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 I found what looks like fiberglass cloth with a foil covering........these are easily found on 1990-2000 GM front drive vehicles. The unit is about 19 inches long and covers a brake line that runs across the fire wall (low) and is used to protect that brake line from the header heat. If you cut the brake line, they slide off in one piece and can be used for many things. The inside diameter is large enough for any gas line. I don't recall which cars, but some of these appear to be carbon fiber cloth as it is black and I had to use a cut-off wheel to cut it. Similar material in sheets can be found on post 2000 GM car tunnels, they used it to replace sheet metal shields. Not stock but could eliminate vapor lock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrEarl Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 2 hours ago, MrEarl said: Can't recall where but I have seen it for sell somewhere. The reason I post though is to ask have you considered washing yours. Seriously, if it is in good condition and with it still on the heat tube let it soak in HOT water for a couple minutes then run a thick bead of Dawn over it then scrub with a short bristle brush and rinse under HOT water again. You'll be surprised how clean it will come. First one I did I was surprised to see the Buick Engine Green paint thick on one side. Oh and the most important part of the above procedure, clean the kitchen sink before the wife gets home!! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 I have a '38 Roadmaster too. I thought that the car was completely original when i bought it about 40 years ago. The car hadnt been restored, just barely maintained. Where does your car have that insulation? I'd like to get mine right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 Check heat sleeves at Summit Racing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Buick 80C Posted April 16, 2016 Author Share Posted April 16, 2016 7 hours ago, MrEarl said: Can't recall where but I have seen it for sell somewhere. The reason I post though is to ask have you considered washing yours. Seriously, if it is in good condition and with it still on the heat tube let it soak in HOT water for a couple minutes then run a thick bead of Dawn over it then scrub with a short bristle brush and rinse under HOT water again. You'll be surprised how clean it will come. First one I did I was surprised to see the Buick Engine Green paint thick on one side. I have some paint or something on mine, but good tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Buick 80C Posted April 16, 2016 Author Share Posted April 16, 2016 7 hours ago, Restorer32 said: McMaster-Carr sells woven ceramic cloth tubing in various diameters. Works perfectly and looks original. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Buick 80C Posted April 16, 2016 Author Share Posted April 16, 2016 4 hours ago, DonMicheletti said: I have a '38 Roadmaster too. I thought that the car was completely original when i bought it about 40 years ago. The car hadnt been restored, just barely maintained. Where does your car have that insulation? I'd like to get mine right. Hey Don, I'm doing this on memory cause the car is at the upholstery shop but I think on the fuel line that runs right in front of the head. But don't trust my car as original. Previous owner did a half- you know what job, but it "looks" orginal, so who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
38Buick 80C Posted April 16, 2016 Author Share Posted April 16, 2016 2 minutes ago, 38Buick 80C said: Hey Don, I'm doing this on memory cause the car is at the upholstery shop but I think on the fuel line that runs right in front of the head. But don't trust my car as original. Previous owner did a half- you know what job, but it "looks" original, so who knows. correction it's on the vacuum line to the bottom of the carb, (that's weird, does that make any sense?) see attached photo from earlier in the restoration (running down intake manifold). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted April 16, 2016 Share Posted April 16, 2016 Thanks Bryan, I see. I cant imagine why they would have insulated that line. I have and have had three '38 Buicks. All for a very long time. Specials and Roadmaster. None had that line insulated and I believed them to be tired original cars. Also, in the old Torque Tube, it is a subject that was never mentioned. There is no downside to insulating it, though. The gasoline line would be more logical to insulate. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 I have seen some ThermoTec "tubes" advertised (and probably on their website), which is probably what Old-Tank referenced from Summit Racing. "Insulating" a vacuum line might be more for abrasion resistance than "insulation". GM has used "insulating sleeves" on some underhood lines of their cars for a good while. Finding the correct sizing would relate to the model and placement on the vehicle. Hadn't heard of McMaster-Carr. I'll have to check that out! NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caballero2 Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 I have used this on my '57. It looks good, but is not as bulky as original. A heavier look could be obtained by double sleeving with two different diameters. The ends need to be clamped to avoid fraying. http://www.omega.com/pptst/XC_XC4_SLEEVING.html Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted April 17, 2016 Share Posted April 17, 2016 Mc Master Carr is a real godsend. For the most part they have everything you need and quickly. I dont like plated bolts and nuts on older cars - they were raw metal. Mc Master can often supply them that way - unplated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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