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Tunnel "Vision"

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Dave Richards

Dave Richards

Jedi Knight
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I took the transmission tunnel off tonight because I have a vision /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif of the underside being covered in a gleaming, space age insulating material.

I have two questions and would welcome any other advice:

1. The bottom of the tunnel is covered with 40 year old grime and grease, /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/pukeface.gif what’s the best way to clean it, especially to get good adhesion of the new insulation???

2. The rubber-ish seal along the floor, between the tunnel and the floor pans, is deteriorated on the driver side, what would be the best material to replace it with?

Thanks!
 
I used Simply Green on mine rinsing with water. It took several applications and scrubbing, but the result was acceptable.
 
Thanks, were you able to re-use the seals, or obtain new ones somewhere, I'm not having much luck locating any from the usual, and also the far-flung, suspects...
 
Well Dar100, how about a good foaming engine degreaser and scrubed with a wheel brush. Rinse with a high pressure nozzel on the hose. Then give it a good wash with 409, Agent Orange , Simple green or what ever. The orange impregnated cleaners are the best for this.---Fwiw---Keoke
 
Hi Dave,
To clean the inside of the tunnel before applying the heat sheild, I used Simple Green, 3M general purpose adhesive cleaner #08987 and De-solv-it. See attached photo.
 
Dave,
I used a camper seal foam tape on the four sides of the trans tunnel. Size 3/16 x 1 1/2.
Bought it at OSH.
See attached photo.
 
Was going to say that Home Depot or Ace or Lowes or a place like those has sticky back foam tape in lots of sizes.
 
For heavy caked grease, I have used brake cleaner and then engine cleaner, repeating the process as many times as necessary to get the piece reasonably clean. Then I use simple green or some other product to get the surface clean enough for paint or adhesive. The brake cleaner seems to help the engine cleaner emulsify the grease/dirt combination better than engine cleaner or other soaps alone.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gifThanks everyone, I knew I would get some good advice. ASHMHLY, it was your picture of the heat shield from Pegasus that inspired me.

That foam tape will work great, no one had any seals, or even knew what I was talking about.

Hey, Roger, I wonder how many environmental laws I'll be breaking by combining degreaser with brake cleaner! The NAPA guys already think I'm crazy for buying so much brake cleaner!
 
I’ve always been happy with Berryman’s B-12 carb. cleaner. Good for cleaning grease, stripping paint and prepping metal for welding.
0113-LR.jpg
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif One of it’s ingredients is acetone, but it seems to work better than straight acetone.
 
[ QUOTE ]
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/savewave.gifThanks everyone, I knew I would get some good advice. ASHMHLY, it was your picture of the heat shield from Pegasus that inspired me.

That foam tape will work great, no one had any seals, or even knew what I was talking about.

Hey, Roger, I wonder how many environmental laws I'll be breaking by combining degreaser with brake cleaner! The NAPA guys already think I'm crazy for buying so much brake cleaner!

[/ QUOTE ]

Dave, if you find you have any extra Pegasus heat shield, or would like to take on another project...

I removed the stock heat shields that are screwed onto the bottom of the car and the outside drivers foot well area. Cleaned those areas and stuck the Pegasus there too. Then reattached the stock heat shields. The Pegasus is so thin, it keeps the space for air travel.

I also lined the outside bottom passenger side of the car with Pegasus. (not all about me. Wait, it is all about me, I love my car!)

Ever wonder where we get our ideas?
It all started when I was a kid.
Caught on a nap-shot, attached of course.
 
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/lol.gif man, that's one way to get your brain "juice" flowing... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif

I'm under the car now, looking for things to clean up and put right, as long as the gerabox cover is off, it makes things a bit easier.

Thanks again.
 
Whatever you do, be careful about which product you use on the underside of the tunnel. I used a different material than Roger - I think it was called Thermo-Guard. Although my material was sold by a local speed shop and allegedly is for this type of application, the adhesive failed almost as soon as it was exposed to heat. It has the same butyl rubber backing as the Pegasis product but it isn't the same evidently.
Before you think it, I also used simple green, carb cleaner, DeSolve It and soap and water to clean the tunnel. It was squeaky clean but the stuff did not stay stuck, doesn't like fiberglass I guess. FYI.
Randy '66 BJ8
 
Hey Randy, I know you spent a lot of time cleaning and installing the heat sheild. Sorry it didn't work out.

Just wanted to clear one thing up. The Pegasus does not have a butly rubber backing. The product appears to look something like fiberglass mesh with a very sticky adhesive backing. For what it's worth.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Whatever you do, be careful about which product you use on the underside of the tunnel. I used a different material than Roger - I think it was called Thermo-Guard. Although my material was sold by a local speed shop and allegedly is for this type of application, the adhesive failed almost as soon as it was exposed to heat. It has the same butyl rubber backing as the Pegasis product but it isn't the same evidently.
Before you think it, I also used simple green, carb cleaner, DeSolve It and soap and water to clean the tunnel. It was squeaky clean but the stuff did not stay stuck, doesn't like fiberglass I guess. FYI.
Randy '66 BJ8

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks Randy, I remember reading your post about having the tunnel in the back of your Volvo, what did you end up doing?
 
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