Foam in engine cover

[1Dexter1]

I have a 1964 Evinrude 90 HP. The inside of the engine cover still has the original foam but I've noticed that dust comes off of it with a little brushing with the hand. That can't be good for the engine while running. I'm not about to try to rip it all out and try to recover the inside. I was thinking of abrading it as much as possible by hand, to get rid of as much loose stuff as possible, and then giving it some kind of spray-on coating to seal it off.
Does anybody have a suggestion?

 

[AirborneSRT]

Re: Foam in engine cover

Everything I've ever read, that foam is just a type of insulation for sound deadening and it will be ok to remove it. I'd say by hand is the safest way to prevent damage to the case, just use like a strong bristle scrubbing brush to remove most of it preferably all like I did.

After that before spraying anything take some soapy water and clean the surface up so whatever you use has a clean bonding surface.
I personally used a product called Rubberized Undercoating made by 3M. It's basically a cheap version of spray bedliner but bonds to anything and holds very well and resists heat pretty well. If sound deadening is what you want back in there, go to an audio shop and ask for DynaMat or something like it, it's a peel and stick type foam padding that's also heat resistant and works pretty well.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Foam in engine cover

Actually the rubber is a great sound insulation as well.

 

[DargelJohn]

Re: Foam in engine cover

I've noticed that dust comes off of it with a little brushing with the hand. That can't be good for the engine while running.

Because of what you have described, I have removed the foam lining from two outboard cowlings in the past. I used a heavy duty scotch-brite pad to remove the foam and rinse with water. Also, wearing work gloves helps.

 

[yorab]

Re: Foam in engine cover

My foam pulled out quited nicely in sheets. I used a stiff bristle brush to remove the bits that remained. Then I used Dynamat for sound insulation. There was a bit of cutting and jigsaw-puzzle-placement involved but I was happy with the results. The Dynamat added a bit of weight to the cowl, but the sound dampening was quite good.

 

[egclassic]

Re: Foam in engine cover

The foam in my hood was chewed/scratched out by a mouse. I removed the rest of it, went to a fabric store and bought some 3/8" thick foam. I sprayed the inside of the hood with spray adhesive and put the new foam in. Cost me about $10. I only put it back in for the sound deadening.

 

[1Dexter1]

Re: Foam in engine cover

Thanks for all of the thoughtful replies. Those were great pics of a great job with the DynaMat. I'm planning to sell the motor and have fuel and ignition problems to tackle but thought I should do a little something with the inside of the cover but don't really want to put a whole lot of time and work into it. I was pretty much thinking of something to spray on the existing foam, which isn't torn, just sheds a little dust when brushed. Just something to seal it off. Maybe a little clear shellac or Varathane or some such. I've seen spray-on liquid rubber in black and yellow. I guess yellow would probably work since it yelloish already.
Thanks again for the replies.