Engine Sound Deading Pad?

[Bubba]

Need advice! I read a lot about this pad creating rust holes. Should it be removed or left as is?

[wjdunn3]

I replaced the engine compartment pad with a foil covered insulating material specifically for engine compartments. You can get this stuff from any parts house or mail order from places like Summit, etc... Not very expensive.
If your car is not a "For Show" car then this stuff is a good replacement. It does not soak up much noise but it does keep the engine heat back there where it belongs on those summer drives.

[Ascaris]

I have been spending a LOT of time recently in my engine compartment doing rust repairs. I do have to say that the one area without a speck of rust was behind the sound insulation pad.

I agree that if it ever got wet it would hold the moisture there, but if the pad is getting wet in the first place you have a much bigger problem to worry about.

If it is in good condition, I'd stick it back in and keep it stock unless you have some other reason to want to replace it.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

In a recent discussion on either the Rennlist 914 list ( http://www.rennlist.org ) or the 914 Club's Forum ( www.dgi.net/914 ) people have been talking about this. There is no simple consensus--some leave the pad in there, some take it out.

One person mentioned that he had put some weatherstripping over the top of the pad to keep water out. I think that sounds like a good idea if you do keep the pad. And it might be a good idea to do something similar for the sides, in particular the side by the battery.

Not a worry for me; my sound pad is long-gone.

--DD

[Wayne 962]

Someone hinted to me a long time ago that the sound pad might contain asbestos (being on the firewall). George Hussey told me a while ago that it didn't have asbestos, but I would like to know if anyone has any definitive proof?

Just curious, I couldn't find out myself...

Thanks,

Wayne