[C320-list] Don't forget gasketing when insulating the engine cover

[Gary Doodlesack]

If you use the best insulating product (.25" lead faced with 2" foam) then
you will get a 50% noise reduction.  Anything else will be slightly less
effective (i.e. .25" vinyl with 2" foam, etc.).

You can expect an almost equal amount of noise reduction when you take time
to apply proper gasketing around all the edges of the engine housing
clam-shell (front and rear).   You can purchase half-round neoprene or even
neoprene gasketing in full round with a flat self-adhesive edge.  Both types
are made to be compressed against a hard surface for effectiveness.  On the
bottom of the front cover you can set-up large neoprene "barricades along
the bottom edge where there is no pre-existing surface to compress against.
Best would be to lay down some 1" wood stock to provide a backing for the
gaskets.  When done the engine housings should fit very very tightly and you
will notice an immediate difference.  You may even get to 90% noise
reduction.

I insulated my engine box with the "good stuff" and ran with it for a year.
Thought the difference in noise levels was amazing.  Next year I installed
the gasketing.   Thought I noticed an equal amount of noise reduction due to
the gaskets.  Amazing change again.   Whisper quiet at 2000 rpm is
achievable.

Good luck!   It's a fun project and you really cant mess it up since
anything you do in this area will result in a noticeable improvement.

Best regards,

Gary Doodlesack
C320 No 410
Lady Diane
Falmouth, MA

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Robert Seastream
Sent: Monday, April 09, 2007 9:50 AM
To: catalina at thehares.com; C320-List
Subject: Re: [C320-list] Cleaning engine cover

I found that a little more elbow grease got most of it off.  The SPM 
stuff is the product that Sailorssolutions offers.
It went on fairly well, just a few gaps here and there that I'm going 
to seal with some sort of heat resistant duct tape.
They advertise 'up to' 90 percent noise reduction; I'll be happy with 
50 or better.

Bob

On Apr 9, 2007, at 8:56 AM, Jeffrey Hare wrote:

> I just used alcohol.  I believe the key is that the surface is oil and 
> wax
> free.  The staining from the belt rubber won't matter.
>
> -Jeff
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Seastream [mailto:robert.seastream at comcast.net]
> Sent: Sunday, April 08, 2007 12:01 PM
> To: C320-List
> Subject: [C320-list] Cleaning engine cover
>
> All:
>
> I bought the SPM soundproofing insulation.  They say to clean the 
> surface
> it's to be applied to.  Any suggestions on what to use to get the
> 'powderized rubber' from the engine belts off the inside of the front 
> cover?
> I've tried Windex, etc., but since the inside of the cover is a rough 
> finish
> (unlike the outside), the rubber is turning into 'mud' and smearing.
>
> Bob Seastream
> 'Intuition', hull 906
>
>
>
>