Cowling foam?

[jaybirddog11]

I just removed all the black foam stuff from under the cowling. It kept falling down and making my motor dirty, not to mention the particles that have been sucked into the carb over the years. My question is should I be concerned with replacing the foam?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Cowling foam?

It's main purpose is to deaden the noise generated by the motor. Won't hurt to leave it off if you don't mind more noise.

 

[jason32038]

Re: Cowling foam?

Yes replace the foam. The foam also functions as an air filter at the air inlet on the cowling.

 

[bashr52]

Re: Cowling foam?

OK, replace it with what?

 

[brdhntr]

Re: Cowling foam?

OK, replace it with what?

I wonder the same thing. I've been running mine for close to 3 yrs without it.

 

[milehighboater]

Re: Cowling foam?

I'm going about 6 years without mine. It got sucked into the flywheel one day and stopped me in my tracks. I spent 30 minuites on lake of the ozarks in summertime plucking foam out of my motor. I'm not really seeing where it would have worked as a air filter but there is not too much dust on the lakes I go on though...

 

[wickware]

Re: Cowling foam?

I replaced my brittle foam with an upholstery?s grade (from a fabric store) using 3M spray adhesive in the late 1980?s and it?s still holding on a 1970, 35HP Chrysler. I used about 1? or just above to match the old foam?s thickness and it has not gotten brittle or hard since.

JOW

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Cowling foam?

UH? Air Filter? NOT! The main air intake is below the bottom carb and the rear intake has the foam cut out around it.

Run without it if you don't mind a bit more noise; replace with anything oil resistant for a quieter engine. Contact cement in place

 

[jaybirddog11]

Re: Cowling foam?

Thanks all for the tips! Since I only had a blackened residue of foam over the old adhesive, and have been satisfied with the overall noise, I think I will do without. Man, I love this forum!!!

 

[gunterm]

Re: Cowling foam?

I've considered pulling mine out too, since the motor seems to run slower with the cowl on, although that could be normal?

 

[jason32038]

Re: Cowling foam?

I stand corrected! Looked at my 86' 85 hp force and the foam is cut around the intake but my intake is on the top.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Cowling foam?

There is a hole on the top of the cowling, however, this acts more like the air exhaust. Air flows out of the engine cover here. As Frank stated, the actual air intake is underneath the lower cowling just below the bottom carburetor. Kind of hard to see. Kind of a hump shaped baffle that is held in place w/4 small bolts.

See item #46 in the diagram. This covers the actual air intake.

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/1255_13.cfm

 

[DaveMcG11]

Re: Cowling foam?

A quick question on this topic. Have any of you that had particles from this cowling foam fall all over the motor, have you found a good way to clean it off???

 

[emoney]

Re: Cowling foam?

Dave, you're replying to a 2 year old thread. It might be better to start your own thread, as necro-bumps can be frowned upon around these parts.

BTW, best way I found to clean it off from a different set-up, a jetboat, was with a shop vac and/or air compressor.

 

[DaveMcG11]

Re: Cowling foam?

Thanks, emoney. And sorry for breaking the rules everyone!!!:facepalm:

 

[emoney]

Re: Cowling foam?

Don't worry about it, a lot of us have done it, lol. Welcome to iboats, btw.