What's the story with this orange foam on top of the T18?

[robroy]

Good evening,

Today I found this foam ring on my T18, and based on what I see in the Ford shop manual it looks like it's factory.



When replacing T18's, do people bother to put that foam ring back? Or make something up? Or is that part available somehow?

Here is where mine went:



But I'd like to replace it with something nice and new if it's really a necessary part.

Thanks!
-Robroy

[fordman]

thats probably used for a dust shield or noise filter for the cab. why nto just cut some foam out of a old couch and replace it.

[marxtoys]

It's a kind of insulation/dust seal kind of thing... nice for keeping grit off of the greasy shifter pieces.

It should be available from the usual repop outfits. <edit: or in a couch - one the missus doesn't like anymore>

Happy trails.

[robroy]

Hi Fordman and Marxtoys, thanks for the replies!

Fordman, I think that's a good idea to replace it with stuffing from furniture, but I'm afraid that it would melt or catch on fire since I imagine it can get pretty hot in that area.

I'll look for something from the vendors before borrowing from the couch!

Thanks!
-Robroy

[Alvin in AZ]

...just cut some foam out of a old couch and replace it.

That's exactly what I did and mine is holding up better than the original did.
It's just foam rubber.

Alvin in AZ

[fordman]

i thought about the fire issue. and i dont think it would melt or burn as long as it was away from the exhaust liek the old one was. the stuff from the couch probably isnt quite as closed celled of a foam as the original stuff though. the couch probably has a more open cell formulation to make more of a comfort on a couch. than does that old foam on the trans.

[kaptnkaos]

You can get a chunk of foam like that at any upolstery shop...
If yer tranny is getting hot enough to ignite the foam, then it is defifnitley time for a new tranny...

KaptnKA S

[Alvin in AZ]

You can get a chunk of foam like that at any upolstery shop...
If yer tranny is getting hot enough to ignite the foam,
then it is defifnitley time for a new tranny...
KaptnKA 8) S

x2
LOL :)
And even "asbestos based foam" will get oil soaked etc...

Reminds me of the anti propane/butane refrigerant complaints
leaving out the fact that R12 makes phosgene when it's exposed
to heat and will be sprayed out mixed with a fine mist of oil. :)

Alvin in AZ