Airbox seal

[Robbie693]

Hi,

Just been to Paul Matty's and they have told me the rubber seal that goes betwwen the airbox halves is NLA. I don't have one at all and they suggested silicone sealant.

Does anyone have any other ideas?

Cheers

Robbie

[types26/36]

Robbie,
I got one from SJS a couple of years ago it was cork not rubber but I have no idea if they still have them.
I have in the past made them from a felt type material, the cheap carpit materal often used in cars boots, its a black/gray cheap excuse for carpit.

[Dave_Newcastle]

I have never used one and dont believe one is necessary - perhaps i am wrong?

I thought about using a bead of silicone - indeed thats the instruction to use printed on the sticker on my air box, but am thinking that the silicone will be attacked by the petrol and oil that collects from spitting carbs and the engine breather and wouldnt stay leak tight anyhow. And you have the worry of bits beaing sucked into the carbs.

If you really want a seal how about making one from cork or find a suitable section rubber from something else.

Dave

[types26/36]

And you have the worry of bits beaing sucked into the carbs.Dave

Exactly what happened to me, I was on a rally and I had made one out of rubber, it came loose, got sucked into the carb, jammed the throtle open at 4000rpm ......some hairy moments, it was then I decieded to use felt which is more forgiving then rubber.
I do believe the original ones were a felt material anyway.

[chrishewett]

I asked Chrisneils for one last year and Don in spare parts told me that they were not available but he would send me something that would do the job. Sure enough a rubber seal arrived which I cut to fit and it works perfectly.
Bearing in mind the carbs have been off and on about a thousand times since then I am happy to say that it is still doing its job.
Chris

[nebogipfel]

Depends how good a seal you feel you need. Mine has a simple "U" shaped rubber seal which pushes over the edge of the box - works OK

I would guess if all else fails the likes of Woolies would stock a suitable profile

[elancoupe]

I use the simplest version of all- a piece of 3/8 rubber fuel hose with a slit cut in it longitudinally. Fits tightly over the box cover, and is flexible enough to conform to the proper shape. Probably not a "perfect" seal, but far better than the Lotus version. Also, since it is fuel grade hose, it will not degrade with gas exposure.

[thor]

3/8" fuel hose sounds like a brilliant idea, that's how much in millimetres?

[Robbie693]

Plenty of ideas there, thanks very much chaps.

[thor]

3/8" = 10mm hose?

[tower of strength]

I used self adhesive draught sealer for sash windows on my old plus 2, that worked a treat and only cost a couple of quid for a very long roll, I also used the same stuff to seal up my pedalbox to body joint.

Mark

[tower of strength]

I used self adhesive draught sealer for sash windows on my old plus 2, that worked a treat and only cost a couple of quid for a very long roll, I also used the same stuff to seal up my pedalbox to body joint.

Mark

[hatman]

I used a Lotus airbox seal on my sash window but it got sucked into the street by passing traffic.

[nebogipfel]

Hello Hatman, Very Witty

[paros]

I have to confess to failure! I wish I had tried the idea of the window seal but the air box, even with the various rubber seals, always had some grit that got into the bottom. I even carefully filed the fibreglass face of the box to make it fit the steel pan - all to no avail. It is dusty in Greece so maybe I am a bit more paranoid!
In the end I chickened out and fitted Pipercross socks over the trumpets. Not original although they look better than I expected AND no grit in the trumpets.
Richard