Neoprene Rubber Replacement (SJ cowl)

[Raymo]

The neoprene is not holding up as well as I'd hoped on my SJ cowl. I've had to replace the intake tube after about 70 hours of flying and the tubes into the plenum are showing signs of degradation too.

Wondering what others have used that holds but better over time and is flexible enough for the purpose.

Thanks in advance.

[airguy]

My plenum transitions are doing fine but my engine air intake is showing definite signs of distress with 150 hours on it. I believe it's just wetsuit material but where to get it would be the question.

[William]

On my Sam James ram air intake I used marine exhaust water hose for the ram air to cowling connection such as this. https://www.fisheriessupply.com/trid...cean-flex-hose. You should be able to find it cheaper and it works great. I secure the hose using a hose clamp to the intake ring glued to the cowling. This hose overlaps the fiberglass ram air intake by about 1" and no clamp is needed on the ram air intake. This makes removing the cowling a snap.

Bill

[bret]

I used silicone hose for the ram air intake.

[Raymo]

Originally Posted by airguy

My plenum transitions are doing fine but my engine air intake is showing definite signs of distress with 150 hours on it. I believe it's just wetsuit material but where to get it would be the question.

Thanks. Getting the same material is not a problem. I want something that will hold up better but still be flexible.

[Raymo]

Originally Posted by William

On my Sam James ram air intake I used marine exhaust water hose for the ram air to cowling connection such as this. https://www.fisheriessupply.com/trid...cean-flex-hose. You should be able to find it cheaper and it works great. I secure the hose using a hose clamp to the intake ring glued to the cowling. This hose overlaps the fiberglass ram air intake by about 1" and no clamp is needed on the ram air intake. This makes removing the cowling a snap.

Bill

Thanks! I will check this out.

[Raymo]

Originally Posted by bret

I used silicone hose for the ram air intake.

Can you be more specific, Bret?

[DanH]

Originally Posted by Raymo

Thanks. Getting the same material is not a problem. I want something that will hold up better but still be flexible.

Make what you want. Hose material is too stiff.

These are at 675 hours now, still doing fine...a single ply of 9oz plain weave glass soaked in two-part urethane rubber, and wrapped over a form. Andy made some too.

[sblack]

Originally Posted by DanH

Make what you want. Hose material is too stiff.

These are at 675 hours now, still doing fine...a single ply of 9oz plain weave glass soaked in two-part urethane rubber, and wrapped over a form. Andy made some too.

Dan that's awesome. Can you give any details of the rubber?

[crabandy]

Originally Posted by sblack

Dan that's awesome. Can you give any details of the rubber?

Scott,
I believe the rubber DanH used isn't made anymore, I've used a similar formulation from the same company "Smooth On" Urethane rubber "PMC 780 Dry" with excellent results.
https://www.smooth-on.com/products/pmc-780-dry/