[Terry M. Hunt]

I bought a foam seal about 6 years ago for my '65 GTO ram air pan. I use it only for static display. It is never subjected to under hood temps, and the hood has never been closed on it. It is stored in a sealed plastic bag in a climate controlled room when not in use. Even so, I find it is now disintegrating. The core seems to be a grey, dense foam that appears to be holding up okay, but there is a "crust" about 1/16 inch thick of some black, more porous material applied to the core. This "crust" is now breaking down and flaking off the core. Every time I touch it, more of it flakes off. I don't understand why this seal isn't made of a solid black foam material that would preclude the need for this "crust". Is this issue common to ram air foam seals for later years? Do those of you who have a seal for '65 or '66 have the same issue?

[bill ryder]

The "original" tri power foams did exactly the same thing. I always figured it happened because of the oil type liquid in the sealed bags they were sold in. How were the ram air foams packaged when new?? "Bill"!

[BOB VIDAN]

Not sure about 65 but 66 foam had a skin over it that was bonded to the ram air pan.

[Tom Vaught]

I have 3 1966 Foam Seals (from the early Ram Air Tray repop days.
Never have been in bags and look like new today with no issues whatever.

Tom V.

[Andre]

I haven't had a reproduction seal last more than 4 years, and that is with minimal driving.

[Terry M. Hunt]

Before spending about $50 for another seal I decided to see if I could refurbish mine. I used a stiff nylon brush to gently remove the remaining black crust. Once that was done, I used a soft used toothbrush to gently go over the surfaces of the grey foam core to give it a smooth uniform surface. I then gave the seal 2-3 light coats of SEM satin black vinyl dye. Looks fine to me. Will see how long this lasts.