New foam between hood and radiator in 308? | FerrariChat

New foam between hood and radiator in 308?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Birdman, Jun 28, 2004.

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  1. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,687
    North shore, MA
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    THE Birdman
    Today I was diddling with the fans in my 308 and noticed that there used to be a strip of foam on the underside of the hood that would block airflow over the top of the radiator, forcing it to go through the radiator, thus cooling more efficiently.

    So I want to replace this, hoping it will run a little cooler in hot weather. Anyone know what kind of foam would be OK to use in contact with a hot radiator? I know you can buy foam strips for use around window air conditioners and stuff at Home Depot, but I'm wondering if it would melt.

    Thanks.

    Birdman
     
  2. don_xvi

    don_xvi F1 Rookie

    Nov 1, 2003
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    Don the 16th
    You could always order one from allferrariparts.com or T. Rutlands...
     
  3. Spasso

    Spasso F1 World Champ

    Feb 16, 2003
    14,648
    Land of Slugs & Moss
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    Han Solo
    I have read previously on this site that Home Depot was the source for the foam!

    I don't have it on mine either and it appears it was on my GTS to stem the flow of hot air into the spare tire well and the forward side of the dash area.

    You can source the expanded metal mesh for the rear hatch there also. Same stuff at 1/10th the cost.
     
  4. enjoythemusic

    enjoythemusic F1 World Champ

    Apr 20, 2002
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    Steven
    Birdman,

    Home Depot... The same thick (1-inch by 2-inch or so) rectangle foam used when mounting an air conditioner into a window.
     
  5. Darolls

    Darolls F1 Veteran
    BANNED

    Jul 2, 2003
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    Sparky
    The closest I've found is 2 1/4" x 2 1/4". Cut it down to the proper thickness.

    You can use spray weatherstrip adhesive to attach it.

    It will last for years and won't melt.
     
  6. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,687
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    THE Birdman
    Cool, thanks guys! I'll pick some up. I just didn't want to see a molten mess all over the radiator!

    Birdman
     
  7. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    I can get varying thickness heat resistant (to about 300 degrees) foam that we use in hot foil stamping machines. IT's very inexpensive, and resists constant temp of 300 for days, weeks, months on our presses.

    Anyone interesed PM me with some dimensions and I'll see what I can get.

    I've used thinner 1/2" stuff as a headliner lining and for visors and it has worked great.
     
  8. Birdman

    Birdman F1 Veteran

    Jun 20, 2003
    6,687
    North shore, MA
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    THE Birdman
    Hey DM,
    If you could come up with strips the size for the use over the radiator on the 308 (I'll get some measurements) I'll bet there would be a lot of takers, me included. Seems this is a pretty commonly worn out item on 308's.

    Birdman
     
  9. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Houston, Texas
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    Bubba
    As stated, two strips...one at the rad and one ahead of the spare..

    there are corner pieces and strips alongside the rad also, but the side pieces seem to trap water and lead to corrosion on steel items.
     
  10. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Sep 30, 2003
    17,564
    Savannah
    really sorry to be in picture posting mode today, but i like to help since so many have helped me here!
     
  11. ClydeM

    ClydeM F1 World Champ
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    Nov 4, 2003
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    Clyde E. McMurdy
    I sourced the foam from home depot & used hot-glue-gun to secure it so I could pull it off.

    Old style pinking shears (or carpet installer shears) worked well on cutting & tapering it.
     
  12. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Wow the front one looks original! lol
     
  13. Gianluca

    Gianluca Formula Junior

    May 6, 2003
    349
    Centreville, Virgini
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    Gianluca Chegai
    What do you do exactly with foam on a hot stamper?
     
  14. christopher

    christopher Formula 3

    Nov 29, 2003
    1,136
    Ontario California
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    Christopher
    Hey Michael,

    Would you have a full pic of the hood/foam???

    Thanks,

    chris.
     
  15. thecarreaper

    thecarreaper F1 World Champ
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    Sep 30, 2003
    17,564
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    not yet, when i get home from work today i will take a few shots and post them if that will help!
     
  16. dm_n_stuff

    dm_n_stuff Four Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    We foil stamp paperboard with Bobst stamping and die cutting presses. The foam is used to keep the foil from coming into contact with the heated platen in the areas where there is no stamping plate. to keep from getting foil on the board where it doesn't belong.

    Does that help any?
     
  17. wax

    wax Five Time F1 World Champ
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    Jul 20, 2003
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  18. designr

    designr Karting

    Dec 10, 2003
    114
    Wake Forest - NC
    Full Name:
    Ron Smith
    Now that you guys have all found the foam replacement, ( I just saw this posting), I'll tell you that I made some aluminum fillers when I did the Hayden fan upgrade this past spring.

    There is one for each side and the top and bottom.

    I noticed that with the new fans, a large amount of air was coming out of the top of the condenser. That is, the fans would blow air into the condenser and instead of going through the radiator, it would turn 90 deg and flow up the fins and out. So I made a cover for the top and bottom of the AC unit to direct the air through the radiator. The top one closes off most of the gap from the front of the nose to the radiator, eliminating the need for the foam on the hood that squishes on the radiator.

    As for the one for the front boot...I ignore that, and don't keep my beer up there. I've got pics if there is interest...and if I can figure out how to post them.
     
  19. lou staller

    lou staller Formula Junior

    Dec 21, 2002
    378
    Orange County Ca
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    Lou Staller
    designr, please post some photos of the air deflector you fabricated for your 308. I'm putting together my cooling system right now and am thinking about switching to a Hayden setup instead of the tired old factory fans. Did you use pusher or pullers on your car? Photos would be great! Thanks.
     
  20. Gianluca

    Gianluca Formula Junior

    May 6, 2003
    349
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    Gianluca Chegai
    Nice trick. I will use it if the occasion arises.
    Thank you.
     
  21. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
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    May 5, 2001
    7,017
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    Verell Boaen
    In the old FChat archives, I've written this up, but here it is again:

    Go to Home Depot, a TrueValue, or ACE HW store & get:
    - 4 bags of 1-1/4" square Airconditioner sealing foam. (A ~4' strip comes in a bag & costs a couple of $.)
    - 1 bottle of contact cement.

    You'll also need:
    - box cutter or other knife with a very sharp blade.
    - Straight piece of metal about 8" long for a trimming guide.

    Thoroughly clean the old foam & adhesive off.

    Spread contact cement the width of a strip of foam on the bonnet.

    Lay a strip of foam in place on the cement with the ends sticking out an inch or so.

    Spread contact cement for the 2nd foam strip beside the first strip.
    Also, spread contact cement on the side of the first strip up to within about 1/4" of the outer edge. (You don't want the seam to show when you're done).

    Lay the 2nd strip alongside the first one & gently press the edges together.

    Let the cement dry for a couple of hours.

    Use the metal straight edge to guide you as you trim the ends of the new foam to match the original ends.

    Viola, new foam that looks just like the original.
     
  22. designr

    designr Karting

    Dec 10, 2003
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    Wake Forest - NC
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    Ron Smith
    #22 designr, Jun 30, 2004
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    OK, It must be me, but I still can't figure out how to put an image into my post.... any good instructions for slower types like me :) Do I need to have my pics on a web site?

    Anyway here is an alternative to foam for those who are interested. This is 1/8 sheet aluminum I installed when doing the Hayden Fan modification. If you make some accurate matte board (thin card board) patterns and take some care cutting out the AL stock, you will get surprisingly good results. I only have a vise with some steel angle for my "bender."
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  23. designr

    designr Karting

    Dec 10, 2003
    114
    Wake Forest - NC
    Full Name:
    Ron Smith
     
  24. Mike C

    Mike C F1 Veteran
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    Aug 3, 2002
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    Mike Charness
    They just don't show up during "preview post" (unfortunately), but they're there once you actually "submit reply".

    Nice mod, by the way!
     
  25. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
    7,017
    Groton, MA
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    Verell Boaen
    Sometimes the simple ideas are the great ones!

    Nice job.

    With chassis black powder coat on them they'd never be noticed in a concours.
     

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