Spare tire block?

[jaustinmd]

I've got an '82 911SC with the space saver spare tire. I frequently see reference to a "spare tire block." What does it do? Is it necessary to correctly secure the spare tire in the trunk, fill the space where the spare tire goes if you don't carry the spare, etc?
Thanks,
John

[Cooper911SC]

It's a kind of 1/2-3/4 round chunk of closed cell foam. It is molded to fit around/cradle the depression in the fuel tank as well as interface with the inner barrel of the spare tire.

It's main function is to cushion between the tank and spare, plus keep the spare centered over the hold down bracket.

You can likely run without it, however, keep in mind that if the steel wheel edge is contacting the tank, over time (many many miles) the wheel will chatter and vibrate against the tank and wear down through the rubberized coating and eventually saw into the tank. (Extreme I know). Point is, the foam filler block is there for a reason.

Case in point, I had a PCA buddy tell me a sob story about having to replace the whole molded trunk carpet in his '03 Turbo because he left a quart of Mobil 1 in there resting against his amplifier mount. Over time the road vibration "sawed" through the M1 container dumping oil all over the trunk carpet.

You can likely pick up a cheap or free "Spare tire block" from a fellow Pelican who doesn't need one for their track car.

Cooper

[SCrescue]

I have one that came out of a '79 SC, yours free, just cover the shipping...

[jaustinmd]

Thanks for the info and the offer! Like a lot of Pelicans, I think I'll just run without the spare - I've already got one of those Slime sealant/compressor kits and a tire plug kit. I just noticed that my tool bag, etc., tends to slide-off and down into the depression left when the spare is not in place, so thought maybe the "block" was a replacement for the spare, but now I understand it is a spacer for the spare. On the bright side, the tool bag doesn't shift around sitting down in that space where the spare went!
Thanks again,
John

[Jack Stands]

Though it is tempting to run without the spare in place, I was always told that the positioning and attachment of the spare was designed to help in case of a frontal crash and is part of the crumple zone of the car's structure. Luckily, Porsches come with excellent brakes, but every little thing can help just in case!