I want to know what grade of phenolic laminate/Garolite can I use to make a spacer for my intake? BBK makes them for the stangs and think I've seen them in the lingenfelter catalog for the ZR-1's upper/lower. I just need to know what grade will withstand the heat and cold variences.

 

I used to make mine out of WOOD, believe it or not. It's actually a great material- easy to work with, transfers almost NO heat up from the intake.

Downside: they get fuel-logged over time. Hitting them with a coating of some sort would probably help prevent this, but I never had them on that long and never went searching for a long-term fix for this problem, although I'm sure one exists.

 

Wood???? Wow, that was the last thing i would have ever thought of.

 

i agree wood is the way to go. i use birch ply wood for mine.

 

Wood has been used for these for a very long time, it works very well, but they have to be replaced every so often because the hot cold cycles will cause the wood to crack over time.

 

I just dont see wood being that astheticly appealing on a engine that is full of chrome. I'd like to use phenolic laminate/Garolite, or maybe aluminum.

 

Aluminum? Only copper transfers more heat than aluminum (among the "common" metals).

 

Alwright So no aluminum.

So Mr. Vader with all your infinate wisdom maybe you could give me the answer I am seeking. What grade phenolic laminate do the manufacturers use to create phenolic spacers??

 

ok. so does anybody else know? Please don't force me to go and ask sombody on a mustang forum.

 

Try looking in the Holley carb catalog, and the catalog for Dart heads, or World Products, can't remember which. I think they all make intake spacers.

 

standard spacers are 3/8" thick, I need 1".

 

I tried making one out of polyester laminating resin and some kevlar cloth, it didn't work for long, it compressed and leaked.
I also made one from plastic. I can't remember what the stuff was called, it was similar in texture to plastic milk jug material but higher temp resistance. That one is working well to this day. Go to someplace where they sell plastics and they ought to be able to steer you in the right direction.
I've noticed that there are wooden spacers commercially available, so it must not be that far fetched an idea. Some time I'll probably try making a wood one too.
BTW spacers do help performance.
Buying one isn't a bad option either. Jegs has a bunch.

 

i got a 2" phenolic spacer off ebay for 20 bucks shipped. it was brand new to. might try there first.

 

There isn't really any such thing as a "standard" spacer, they're available in all kinds of heights up to several inches.