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guitarman63mm Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2008 Posts: 797 Location: Asheville, NC
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 7:51 pm Post subject: Foam rubber engine seal alternative for Type 4s? |
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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. |
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busdaddy Samba Member
Joined: February 12, 2004 Posts: 51119 Location: Surrey B.C. Canada, but thinking of Ukraine
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 8:16 pm Post subject: Re: Foam rubber engine seal alternative for Type 4s? |
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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! |
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guitarman63mm Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2008 Posts: 797 Location: Asheville, NC
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 8:27 pm Post subject: Re: Foam rubber engine seal alternative for Type 4s? |
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busdaddy wrote: |
Get yor butt over to Walmart for some pool noodles before they blow out the summer stuff and stock up on Halloween decorations. |
Good idea, I can pick up some gorilla glue while I'm there - then this pool noodle will be stuck in my engine bay until the end of time. _________________ Jimmy
- 1974 Safaré Custom Camper. 091 trans + Dual Weber 34 ICTs + Pertronix SVDA + 1.7L 914 T4 engine. |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50334
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: Foam rubber engine seal alternative for Type 4s? |
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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. |
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Randy in Maine Samba Member
Joined: August 03, 2003 Posts: 34890 Location: The Beach
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:29 am Post subject: Re: Foam rubber engine seal alternative for Type 4s? |
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Make sure you install the shiney side down please. |
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Stuartzickefoose Samba Post Whore
Joined: February 07, 2008 Posts: 10350 Location: SoCal for now...
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 10:00 am Post subject: Re: Foam rubber engine seal alternative for Type 4s? |
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Randy in Maine wrote: |
Make sure you install the shiney side down please. |
X2. Everyone I run into seems to think the shiny side up is better. Always fun to point out it’s upside down and see their reactions _________________ Stuart Zickefoose
2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual
206-841-7324
[email protected] |
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Wildthings Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50334
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 10:10 am Post subject: Re: Foam rubber engine seal alternative for Type 4s? |
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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. |
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Tcash Samba Member
Joined: July 20, 2011 Posts: 12844 Location: San Jose, California, USA
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guitarman63mm Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2008 Posts: 797 Location: Asheville, NC
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Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2018 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Foam rubber engine seal alternative for Type 4s? |
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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. |
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