Front Bumper Sealing Wedges?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 144
From: Central Ohio
Front Bumper Sealing Wedges?
Have my front bumper cover off for the first time (for me) and the foam sealing wedges (see below) have turned to blocks of ash and/or disappeared. Did a search and found this thread:
https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...il-cooler.html so I'm not alone.
a) Are these really critical to the A/C and Oil Cooler operation? and
b) Has anyone had success making substitutes out of regular foam? (I don't have time to wait for shipment before putting the bumper on again - and $50 for four pieces is hard to swallow)
Thanks in advance!
Ron
https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...il-cooler.html so I'm not alone.
a) Are these really critical to the A/C and Oil Cooler operation? and
b) Has anyone had success making substitutes out of regular foam? (I don't have time to wait for shipment before putting the bumper on again - and $50 for four pieces is hard to swallow)
Thanks in advance!
Ron
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,613
Likes: 52
From: DFW, TX
If you're not driving your car hard where maximum cooling efficiency is required, then you can probably get away without them.
They basically close off gaps around the condenser and oil cooler so that air is forced through the fins rather than around them. Increases the efficiency of the cooling system.
If you're not noticing the car running hot during periods of extended high RPMs and WOT then you're probably fine.
I replaced these pieces on my 964 and I went ahead and traced myself a pattern of the OE pieces so that years from now I can make my own. I guess you can make your own from scratch through trial and error, cutting them down little by little as you install and remove the front bumper to get their profile just right.
A fellow 964 owner bought some new pieces and they might have been sitting on a shelf for a decade or two because they were already turning to dust in the packaging, lol.
They basically close off gaps around the condenser and oil cooler so that air is forced through the fins rather than around them. Increases the efficiency of the cooling system.
If you're not noticing the car running hot during periods of extended high RPMs and WOT then you're probably fine.
I replaced these pieces on my 964 and I went ahead and traced myself a pattern of the OE pieces so that years from now I can make my own. I guess you can make your own from scratch through trial and error, cutting them down little by little as you install and remove the front bumper to get their profile just right.
A fellow 964 owner bought some new pieces and they might have been sitting on a shelf for a decade or two because they were already turning to dust in the packaging, lol.
Last edited by Vandit; Mar 25, 2017 at 07:27 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 767
Likes: 16
From: Texas
As Vandit mentions....
Go to McMaster Carr and order some of this foam, which is superior to what Porsche will ship you:
8647K29 Weather- and Abrasion-Resistant Foam Sheet, Blended EPDM, Ultra Soft, 1" Thickness
https://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/123/3613/=16xrwc6
The factory foam is poor when new, and they have old stock sitting on the shelf which is turning to dust. You might be unlucky enough to get some of that, like I did...
Go to McMaster Carr and order some of this foam, which is superior to what Porsche will ship you:
8647K29 Weather- and Abrasion-Resistant Foam Sheet, Blended EPDM, Ultra Soft, 1" Thickness
https://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/123/3613/=16xrwc6
The factory foam is poor when new, and they have old stock sitting on the shelf which is turning to dust. You might be unlucky enough to get some of that, like I did...
Last edited by Super90; Mar 27, 2017 at 05:13 PM.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,613
Likes: 52
From: DFW, TX
You can see a patterns I made in the photos I posted in this thread, however they are for the 964 pieces. The 993 bumper and what goes on behind it are different, so the 993 pieces will have a different shape.
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...om-my-car.html
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...om-my-car.html
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 565
Likes: 144
From: Central Ohio
Thanks to all three of you for the quick help! Another example of why this forum is so great. I think that foam at M-C looks like the way to go and I'll probably get some for a redo next Fall, but I'm on a tight schedule and decided to see how far I could get with a trip to Lowes and a $1.89 piece of pipe insulation. Turns out pretty far, I think - see below. I'm going to add some thickness on the inner surfaces as it looks like the OEM foam was more like 1.5" and there are still small gaps with these. Interested to see how they fare this Summer.
I did take measurements and will post after I get a chance to draw something up. leeshephard - thanks for that excellent diagram! I should have checked my computer more often during my foam sculpture sessions
I did take measurements and will post after I get a chance to draw something up. leeshephard - thanks for that excellent diagram! I should have checked my computer more often during my foam sculpture sessions
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,473
Likes: 149
From: Cape Neddick Me.
Thanks for the info & patterns!
Lots of good options out there for materials, search for "polyethylene closed cell" or this eBay search works pretty well. I ended up getting a couple of 12x24 inch sheets @ 1" thick.. I'll glue them together-
Coleman.
Lots of good options out there for materials, search for "polyethylene closed cell" or this eBay search works pretty well. I ended up getting a couple of 12x24 inch sheets @ 1" thick.. I'll glue them together-
Coleman.