tunnel insulation?

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Thu Apr 19, 2001 9:30 am

I'm restoring a 71 Super. I hastily removed the tar paper that ran down the tunnel. I hear that they don't make this item anywhere. Is there any substitute for this or do I even need it at all?

Thanks

Adam

frwent · Post by **frwent** » Thu Apr 19, 2001 10:48 am

Adam, I went to the carpet store and got some carpet padding, they called it synthetic jute, that is about the right thickness to replace the tarboard on the tunnel. Under the floor mats, which my 1966 bug has, I am going to get some large rubber doormat material and cut it to size. That may also work for your tunnel, if you like, you could probably find it at someplace like Home Depot or Payless Cashways.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Fri Apr 20, 2001 9:02 am

Does this synthetic wick up water? I don't want it to possible rust under there. And you say Home Depot has large pieces of doormat material? Is there a name for it?

Thanks Adam

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Fri Apr 20, 2001 1:09 pm

gbessom,

What size tarpaper do you use {the real thin stuff????}?

Adam

frwent · Post by **frwent** » Fri Apr 20, 2001 2:58 pm

I was out last night looking for rolled roofing,like the kind John Henry has described on his site "The Bug Shop" (www.geocities.com/MotorCity/4000, which see)I was informed by a clerk at Payless Cashways that they haven't been able to sell it for 15 years, something about a government ban on the silica in the material. Thanks, Uncle Sam, for your stupid and ridiculous regulation! But you can still get roofing tar paper, there are several weights of this stuff. Hurry before the stupid idiots in Washington find a reason to ban this too. You might have to use several layers. I think I might even still have some in my storage shed from the shop I built 4 years ago. I gotta go look. Have a good weekend, all!

JordanK · Post by **JordanK** » Fri Apr 20, 2001 4:08 pm

I dunno Fred, I just helped a guy redo a roof last year and we used the exact stuff described on John Henry's site. Maybe it was the "silica free" version or something, but it's still around. so what does the government think about silica sandblasting sand? i can still buy that right down the street...

Anyway to answer the tunnel question, I used a piece of an old conveyer belt from a factory. It's very dense, about 3/8 thick and has some kind of fiber layer in between two rubber ones. Pain in the arse to cut and work with, but it works pretty good. It's probably similiar to the rubber door mat material mentioned above. Just be creative, most anything will provide SOME deadening. I liked the carpet padding idea too...

JordanK · Post by **JordanK** » Fri Apr 20, 2001 4:11 pm

oh yeah, while you're at the hardware store poking around, pick up a gallon or two of some stuff called "Kool Patch" it's also a roofing product, but works great as an undercoating. I'm debating putting it on the inside of my pans as well, they had some kind of red anti-rust coating but it's all flakey and coming off. heck, put some on your tunnel too...

------------------
Jordan
1963 Beetle, 5 spokes, 1776, dropped spindles, etc...
1973 Standard Beetle, stock.

frwent · Post by **frwent** » Fri Apr 20, 2001 4:53 pm

Hey, again, Jordon.

I am way ahead of you with the Kool Patch. I got it on the seams of my car, and am headed up on the roof with it! I thought I might not be able to find it here, this is a little college/bedroom town and most stores are Joe College shops and bars. Not a lot of places that would carry "industry and work" things. But the local Ace hardware has it and I bought a sample can and went back for more for the house. Great stuff!

gbessom · Post by **gbessom** » Sat Apr 21, 2001 12:03 am

I use roofing tar paper. With_a_little heat you can mold it to fit anything. And it becomes tacky when you heat it up. You should be able to buy a roll of it.

TomsBug · Post by **TomsBug** » Sat Apr 21, 2001 11:01 am

Take a look at this Ebay thingy...
Item #581783843
If this doesn't bring it up search VW Tar.
Happy hunting

Tom

[This message has been edited by TomsBug (edited 04-21-2001).]

adam · Post by **adam** » Mon Apr 23, 2001 9:24 am

Hey frwent,

Do you know where the insulation tech repair section on Henry's website. I can't seem to find it.

Adam

frwent · Post by **frwent** » Mon Apr 23, 2001 1:15 pm

Hi Adam,

He talks about insulation of th doors in the section under Tech Info labled "The Doors" in the re-assembly. Also, he shows how he made new engine compartment tar boards from rolled roofing in the section on restoring the '57. There may be more, you will have to look around the site. Good luck.

Adam · Post by **Adam** » Mon Apr 23, 2001 4:55 pm

Thanks,

Speaking of the engine compartment tar board, is that really necessary? Keeping in mind my 71 is going to {hopefully} be greatly modified. Will the engine noise be unbearable? I see alot of guys opting to go without.

JordanK · Post by **JordanK** » Mon Apr 23, 2001 8:09 pm

The noise won't be unbearable, but it will be noticeably louder. If i have the chance to do it again on my 63 i'm going to take the stock stuff out and put dynamat or something similiar in. I just have the stock replacement tar boards under a stainless firewall. It's quieter than my 73, but they have different mufflers. If you dont' want to put tarboard back in the engine compartment you might consider something under the rear carpet on the inside. I'm thinking about doing that too, just to see how quiet i can get it. The tar boards also serve to insulate the interior from engine heat somewhat. John Henry's page has a lot of good info, also check this one out. http://www.bulley-hewlett.com/VWindex/intrir1.html
Good Luck

------------------
Jordan
1963 Beetle, 5 spokes, 1776, dropped spindles, etc...
1973 Standard Beetle, stock.