83 SC Foam Insert

[redman]

The foam insert on my 83 SC, sitting above the rear screen and behind/inside the metal lip of the roof coachwork, has completely perished. Trouble is, water gets in very easily and tracks round behind the roof lining and soaks the liner and sound proofing under the rear seats. (Only took me 3 months to spot just how this was actually happening!) I've managed to get the foam bits all out, but now wonder about replacement. Is there any way of doing this without having to put in a new roof headliner? Is it essential to have some airflow coming out through the channles the foam sits in? My local Porsche spares dealer simply isn't interested: what else might I use as the foam? Doesn't actually seem a terribly clever design, or that there would have been much air flow in the first place. Grateful for thoughts and advice?

[nhromyak]

Not sure what you mean. Do you mean the foam inside the headliner? Between the headliner and the actual metal parts on the roof and sunroof (if so equipped)?

Or do you mean the material between the rear deck vinyl piece (usually with speakers), the piece that is below the rear window, underneath this that acts as sound insulation? This one is not foam though.

In either case, I know both can be found at any upholstery shop and mot fabric shops.

Good luck.

[redman]

No sunroof! But at the very rear of the metal roof, where there is a slight lip on the exterior side before it drops down over the rear screen, there are channels that appear to exist to allow some flow of air out of the car. These have foam inserts - which have perished.

I could seal off completely, but this would seem to negate the reasons for the channels/foam in the first place. Or I can try and replace - but I don't want the hassle and expense of removing the rear screen and headliner to do so (took several months and 2 re-fits of the screen to fix another leak!).

Option seems to be push enough foam in through the existing channel holes(ie from the ouside) to stop free ingress of water (eg while washing the car)? Or do I seal off?

thanks.

[Wil Ferch]

This is a good question...i've pondered this also.

Translation ( from Brit to 'Murican)...his rear "screen" is our rear "window", and the fact that his foam has "perished" means that all this crap is crumbling....what the heck do I do now ?? All this can be seen from the outside over the top edge of the glass and directly under the roof-line...where all the vent "slots" are.....

Wil

[nhromyak]

Ohhh OK. I understand.

Hmmm, with my sunroof car, I know I have a zipper that I can access this area through with my roof headliner material.

I would think, the cars need this "vent" and should have some foam there. I don't think sealing it would be an answer though.

I looked at my headliner and it appears (as you described, looking back at your post), it is not accessable unless the headliner and some sort of insert or board is removed.

I don't have much of an answer for you, sorry.

Perhaps a local Porsche yard will let you look at a car that has no headliner.

Sorry, good luck.

[redman]

No zip in an SC, though I am aware the feature exists in other models. Looking in a breaker's yard to try and see the inside of the problem is a good tip.

I'll try and avoid the UK-isms in future! Great forum, btw - which is entirely down to the very knowlegeable people creating it.

Thanks to all.

[Glasgow 911SC]

The foam has perished on my SC too. I have the sunroof access zip though so replacing it shouldn't be too difficult. I'm going to use some sound deadening foam (like a wet suit material) that I picked up at a motorbike auto jumble / swap meet.

[nhromyak]

Originally posted by redman


I'll try and avoid the UK-isms in future! Great forum, btw - which is entirely down to the very knowlegeable people creating it.
[/B]

It's all good!