engine sheet metal SEALS

[nreed]

What purpose do these expensive seals serve? Are they really needed for proper cooling and airflow? Is it possible to get by without them or would I be taking a chance?

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

Norm,

Are you talking about the metal shroud that goes around your motor and the rubber gasket that seals against it when you raise the motor back up?

If so I believe these parts have two purposes:

They help keep the heat from the exhaust contained to the lower part of the motor so you are not constantly recirculating already heated air. This helps maintain lower temperatures and therefore extends motor life and keeps your car on the road.

The second function is to keep road dirt from gaining access to the fuel injection system and the upper part of your motor.

I would not leave these items out. Were the ones on your re-build in poor shape? I re-used mine as they were in very good condition.

[Doug Steinel]

I think that rubber seal also keeps the fan drawing cooler air throught the engine lid vent rather than below the motor where the temperatures are higher.

[nreed]

Thanks so much...I thought this was the case. It's the rubber seals that I need to replace. They were all brittle and cracked from 18 years of heat. My wallet has been hurting lately but I will bite the bullet and buy them.

Thanks for your patient answers...

[David]

I was talking to 76 930 owner several months ago and he said he lowered his oil temp significantly by sealing up the shroud around the engine.

[magic930]

I was putting in my new seal last week and couldn't figure out which way up it goes.%$#!!
Should it generally point upwards, or outwards. There is also a cutout in the rear making it one ply across the back does the cut go up or down? Thanks in advance for the help.

[Jim Sims]

The seals generally point downwards. I believe the cutout goes downwards, when I installed the new seals it was obvious which way it went but I can't recall why. Jim