Removing engine sound pad leaves gap to engine compartment

[B.Green]

88 3.2 was warned to remove decaying engine compartment sound pad so parts of it did not get sucked into fan. After protecting engine and vacuuming out engine compartment after removal I came to find two significant piles of debris from the sound pad under the car.

It appears that the very bottom of the sound pad might act as a seal between the engine compartment and the underside of the car. I have not heard this discussed by folks choosing to leave the sound pad out.

Is this true, and if removed, should this gap be sealed to control airflow and reduce dirt induction into engine compartment? I see foam used to seal corners of engine compartment with wiring bundles and hoses.

As I was told an engine drop would be required to replace engine sound mat, I was going to try it without for budget reasons. Any suggestions as to type of foam to use in that gap - and / or if it is needed.

[DRACO A5OG]

Nope there is a gap in the center of the two foam blocks. Don't worry about it.

[Autoban]

You don't need to drop the engine to replace the pad. This was one of the first things I did when I purchased my '86 Cab in January this year. I took the air filter box and the cruise control actuator off. My hands looked like a mess from the glue and it looked like a had a fight with a cat, but other than that , not big deal. The new pad (purchased from our host) made a big difference in the sound level inside of the car (when the top is closed).

[donagain1]

+1 for replacing it without engine drop.
It's tight under there, so it helps to have slender hands and long fingers. Wives/girlfriends with mechanical aptitude would be a definite plus for sure.

I think I spent the most time and experienced the most bloodletting simply trying to reach around to unsnap the rear fasteners of the air filter box, and a close second was wrenching out the two bolts mounting the cruise control servo. You'll see them in the lower right of the first photo. Obviously the blower and ducting needed to come out first, as well as swinging the sensor connector bracket out of the way in order to accomodate a human hand holding a wrench. After that, it went rapidly... about a half hour.

[Daves911L]

No idea what a 3.2 car should have there, if anything. But earlier cars generally had a tubular profile (like a hose) piece of soft rubber stuffed between the rear bulkhead and the shock tower beam.

[deshetlr]

Can the blocks be replaced without an engine drop?

Nope there is a gap in the center of the two foam blocks. Don't worry about it.

[JohnJL]

There is a separate seal between the shock tower cross brace and the rear bulkhead.