Foam rubber engine seal alternative for Type 4s?

[guitarman63mm]

My seal has begun to seriously disintegrate on the top side over the last 4 years (and the bus was parked for 2.5 years of the 4!), with the slightest touch sending tufts of foam flying. Although $35 isn't that much money for a consumable part with a 5 year lifespan, I'd much rather spend it on something that would last longer (and be less attractive to malevolent critters looking for insulation).

I've been looking at H-shape silicone extrusions, and I haven't had much luck with finding anything pre-made that you can get in 5-10ft lengths to test. Has anyone had any luck with alternatives? It seems like making one out of silicone sponge foam (or a variety of cheaper rubbers) would be leagues above our current options.

This is the kind of thing I initially had in mind:

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Factory-pri...c8fd4EmMbh

Another option would be the bulb seals on the top - but I'm not sure how well they'd seal:

https://www.mcmaster.com/#bulb-seals/=1dqcfr4
_________________
Jimmy

- 1974 Safaré Custom Camper. 091 trans + Dual Weber 34 ICTs + Pertronix SVDA + 1.7L 914 T4 engine.

[busdaddy]

Get yor butt over to Walmart for some pool noodles before they blow out the summer stuff and stock up on Halloween decorations.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!

[guitarman63mm]

[Wildthings]

I typically get around 8 years out of a foam seal. When they were asking over $60 for them maybe 15-20 years back I certainly was looking for alternatives, but at around $30 today it just doesn't seem worth it. I had considered getting some 3/8" - 1/2" thick heat rated silicone sheets and seeing what I could glue up.

Ray Greenwood has mentioned that he smears the available foam gaskets with RTV silicone in an effort to get more life out of them.

[Randy in Maine]

Make sure you install the shiney side down please.

[Stuartzickefoose]

[Wildthings]

Years ago I trimmed back my engine surround tin to leave a more even space for the foam seal to fit, maybe as much as 3/8" in the right rear corner area. Makes the foam go and out easier and keeps it from being damaged as much.

[Tcash]

Fun noodle Pool noodle Engine seal quick fix
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...highlight=

high temperature pipe insulation wrap
https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rl...7Xz0e5DAqc

[guitarman63mm]

I didn't realize you were semi-serious about the noodle! Seems like LDPE is only good to 220-240F per google - not sure the heads/exhaust will like that very much, but I suppose it depends on the environment and engine.

Can't figure out what this is (expanded EPDM?), but I seem to recall a low melting point in other projects I've worked on:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Armaflex-1-in-x-6-ft-R.../100569382

Then there's this stuff:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/1-1-2-in-x-3-ft-Fiberg.../100134569

Scraping the bottom of the DIY barrel here.
_________________
Jimmy

- 1974 Safaré Custom Camper. 091 trans + Dual Weber 34 ICTs + Pertronix SVDA + 1.7L 914 T4 engine.