Heater duct caps - any DIY solutions?

[patssle]

Looking to cap my heater duct (without removing and installing a block-off plate at this time) - was curious if anybody has found a good solution or a cap (that can be through-bolted to the duct) that will fit it perfectly? And look decent. About 3.25" diameter.

[Oh Haha]

Check your local hardware store for rubber plumbing seals. I don't know the exact name but they can be found where the drain pipes are located. A band clamp will hold it in place.

[porsche930dude]

go to the grocery store and start measuring. I think I used the bottom of a peanut butter jar. just look for something that looks the part

[CalE]

Try universal freeze plug the type with rubberbackside insert turn bolt done.

[patssle]

Originally Posted by porsche930dude

go to the grocery store and start measuring. I think I used the bottom of a peanut butter jar. just look for something that looks the part

Yup that's what I've been doing. Measured every cap to jar I have in the house...and whenever I'm out!

[juanbenae]

beer can bottom with a hose clamp.


it'll make ya get the block off quicker.

8k even post

[douglas bray]

Originally Posted by car 311

beer can bottom with a hose clamp.


it'll make ya get the block off quicker.

8k even post

I did this with the top of a coke can on my ATC70's DG down pipe when I was 13 years old. It lasted right through someone jackin' it from me more than 10 years later. Hack sawed the end off the muffler, ripped out the guts, and had the raspiest sounding bike on the block.

[esonefour]

I used a tuna can, even went all out and painted it black.
But the fiberglass blank plates are pretty cheap and look good.

[snbush67]

Left Side Heater Block Off- DIY (No Can-No Clamp)

[porsche930dude]

iv also used a piece of rubber from an old inner tube and a clamp for things like this. zip tie or a cv joint boot clamp would be cleaner

[dad911]

I seem to remember the top from a can of spray paint fits.

[jimtweet]

home depot or lowes, plumbing, 2.5" rubber caps, 2.99$ each, just bought 4 of them

[dicklague]

McMaster Karr has high temp silicone rubber caps from 1/4" to 4".

I put one on my MFI pre heater tube which I don't use.

[speednme1]

Would this work Hot Air Socket Heater Block Off Cover Plate - Left Side Engine Fan Shroud Behind Ignition Distributor By Patrick Motorsports Porsche & Mid Engine Performance Specialists

[island911]

Originally Posted by snbush67

Left Side Heater Block Off- DIY (No Can-No Clamp)

Nice!

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by dicklague

I put one on my MFI pre heater tube which I don't use.

for that i used a rolling rock cap

[mkc1962]

I used a tuna can, even went all out and painted it black.

sheeeew....hope that got washed out good prior to use

[911pcars]

Plain exhaust headers? Okay
Factory heat exchangers w/o air flow? No

Without air circulating through the heat exchangers, the sheet metal clam shell traps radiated exhaust heat and in effect replicates an oven environment. Is there any advantage in retaining 400ºF+ air in that area? Answer: Nothing I can think of other than prepping a meal of slow-roasted brisket or fish in foil.

If the heat exchangers are still in place, suggest restoring the factory air path with the proper 3.5" duct hose.

Sherwood

[fireant911]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Plain exhaust headers? Okay
Factory heat exchangers w/o air flow? No

Without air circulating through the heat exchangers, the sheet metal clam shell traps radiated exhaust heat and in effect replicates an oven environment. Is there any advantage in retaining 400ºF+ air in that area? Answer: Nothing I can think of other than prepping a meal of slow-roasted brisket or fish in foil.

If the heat exchangers are still in place, suggest restoring the factory air path with the proper 3.5" duct hose.

Sherwood

I tried this once years ago after reading about this here. I saw the highest oil temperatures that I ever experienced while owning my Porsche... in fact the oil temperature rose so quickly, I pulled alongside the road median to allow things to cool before driving another mile - it actually scared me!. Next, I immediately returned home, quickly put the duct hose where is was supposed to go, and NEVER EVER considered doing that again. My engine temperatures very quickly returned to normal once the original configuration was employed.

My engine normally ran on the cooler side even with these hot and humid Alabama summers so the cooling system was in fine working order. Others have done this apparently without negative results though that is not what I experienced!