Rear window defroster foam hoses

[Rich Lambert]

Anybody know where I can pick up a couple of new foam hoses for the rear window defrosters? I looked in Pelican and Performance and couldn't find 'em (but, I've missed stuff before).

Why are these made out of foam, anyway?

[304065]

Rich,

These are No Longer Available (NLA) from Porsche. They are extremely rare because they disintegrate, particularly after having been in the car for 41 years. If yours are at all salvageable, save them. Here's a better picture of what a pristine one looks like. It's going in my car when the restoration is finished.



Now, I have heard that there's a foam plumbing insulation available from McMaster-Carr that's the same diameter, but gray in color. This would restore the functionality of the rear window defrost, even though they aren't orange.

I've looked all over the place for a few years for orange foam, about the only thing I've found are those orange "noodle" pool toys but they are too big in diameter, would have to be reduced in size with a hotwire, more trouble than I have time for right now.

I think the reason they are foam is that the factory considered that to be a good insulator for the very hot air coming from the heater system. Mine actually still worked when I picked up the car and drove it through the snow (pre-restoration). 600 Mile Cruise in 1966 911

[Grady Clay]

Guys,

Another reason for the foam is noise attenuation. Occasionally someone would replace the foam with some rubber (heater?) hose. You wouldn’t believe how noisy they become.

John, I just found a rust-free ’67 911 coupe. I don’t have the energy to do a project so I’ll list it on Pelican FS. This will be ideal for someone with a nice SWB but rusty tub.

Best,
Grady

[Rich Lambert]

Crap...why is so much stuff I want "NLA"? I guess I'll just use the old ones. One has a tear in it, but I think I can duct tape the hole. Oh well, the PO got black paint all over them, so it's not like I'm ruining a concours piece of equipment.

Someday I'm going to dazzle someone with the knowledge of why those things are foam (like I'm dazzled right now).

As always, thanks for the replies.

[Grady Clay]

Rich,

“...why is so much stuff I want "NLA"?”

When PAG wants one of their cars to “go away”, they make the parts NLA or over-price them so much that the cars become un-repairable.

I think this is a major corporate mistake by Porsche A.G. management and the Supervisory Board. Other manufacturers (notably BMW) are going the other direction.

Fortunately with many 911 parts the aftermarket steps in. One of these days a 911 owner who is in the foam industry will make a pair of these hoses for himself – and 10,000 for all the rest of us. A 20¢ part I would be happy to pay $20 for.


The biggest missed opportunity PAG is making is to not build a run of replacement chassis. What do you think the market would be for a Factory spare part ‘73RS chassis? Almost every ’65-’73 would be a direct replacement. With some clever engineering the SWB/LWB wouldn’t be an issue. If built exceeding the ’73 safety standards, as a spare part it wouldn’t have to comply with current crash regulations.

I don’t have any real idea of the numbers but I suspect PAG could build 10,000 chassis (in China) better than original for a couple of $K each and sell them for $20K easily. Not bad margin, better than a 997. I’ll bet all would be pre-sold and not affect any current sale. What if they built a run of 356C … or RS-62 to accept a 911 engine?

PAG does a good job of engineering and manufacturing contemporary cars … and earn a huge profit for the company owners – that’s the idea. What is missing is somehow someone doesn’t see the value of the huge number of enthusiasts selling Porsche’s name for them with these "old" cars.

Best,
Grady
post 5555

[304065]

Grady,

The very mention of a rust-free '67 makes me think about getting extra storage space.

That said, I am developing a profound appreciation for the cost and complexity of a correct restoration. In a conversation with my restoration expert, I learned that my hood has rust bubbling around the edge. So it's off to find a rust-free long hood, not a simple undertaking in this part of the country. The thought of starting with a car from the dry, high climate of Denver DOES provide a temptation. . . but one I can resist for the time being. This current project is going to come in NOT QUITE to the level of a 997 when all is said and done.

I think your point about the economics of replacement chassis for the longhood is an excellent one: BMW built an entire 2002 a few years ago from the replacement parts bin, and the LBC (little British car) types have had entire replacement bodyshells available for years for the MGB. (If ever there was a group that suffered more due to lack of galvanizing than the 356 and SWB community, it was they).

[nut11]

Always nice to read you guys.

87 blk coupe