Heat-proof padding suggestions?

[Arctra]

Hi Guys.

Can anyone suggest a suitable heat proof padding material (and wher I might find some) to put in the 5mm (plus or minus) gap between my skid plate and sump? I have just noticed that hitting sharpish bumps seems to make the plate flex a little, and now that I am aware of the otherwise minor sound, it's annoying me.

I presume that because it will be up against the sump that it must be able to handle those temps. I would assume that any insulating effect it might have will not be a problem, but if it will be an issue, I guess a conductive padding would be the go. Again, and suggestions?

[Arctra]

OK, so I have not managed to make much progress on this, but I was at the motorcycle shop the other day and noticed they had muffler packing. Now a 4-stroke bikes packing will need to handle some high temps, won't it? Does anyone know whether it would work for what I want it for?

[Oneofthegreats]

Well the sump skid plate shouldn't touch the sump under any conditions in the first place!

I'd start by trying to reshape & maneuver the plate away from the sump.


But if your dead set on fitting a heatshield, this will most likely be metal & will also cause noises when in contact with the sump & skid plate

[Ben_GTI]

Muffler Temps will be much higher than your sump temperature, hence if the muffler packing suits then I don't see any reason why not. The Sump is not a cooling device, hence insulating it may make the radiator work a tiny bit harder, but no way noticeable.

Keep in mind that if you pack the space, pressure from the plate will be transferred to the sump when you hit things. I guess it's up to you to figure out how much force the sump can handle.

[Oneofthegreats]

The Sump is not a cooling device, hence insulating it may make the radiator work a tiny bit harder, but no way noticeable

Hate to say it, but the sump "is" a cooling device.

That's one of the main reasons why manufacturers made them out of alloy over steel.

Alloy sumps also can provide an increase to alloy block rigidity too!


Even BMW & other manufacturers desinged fins into their engine sump's (as far back as the E21 & earlier!), diff housings & trans housings etc. To provide extra cooling.