Door Insulation

PO51

PO51

Senior Member
I'm currently working on the doors of my 28 Open Pickup. The doors are in OK shape, I was wondering if Ford put any insulation inside the doors when new, mine are hollow. If they came with something what would be a good modern material to use or should I leave them the way they are?:confused:
 
Most of the Model A parts suppliers and local auto parts stores, such as NAPA, parts plus etc., sell foil backed insulation rolls, and sound deadening pads, that can be used inside all panels. Doors, quarter panels, floor panels under seats. Ford did not use anything other than a tar slurry in some areas.
 
On open car doors we often find a thick sound deadener board that was placed between the exterior skin and the inner door panel as an anti-drum material. Have you checked to verify there is not anything in there now?
 
Onmy 29 RPU there is a board like Brent describes above. It is 8 inches square and 1 inch thick. It looks like a dark brown fiber board of some type. It kind of reminds me of the fiber sheeting they used to use on houses. It is wedged between the inner and outer skins and would have had to be put in there when the door was assembled. There is no way they could get it through the holes in the door.
Jon
 

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Brent,
The doors have nothing in them at this time, should I try and put something through the holes or leave them alone. Oh by the way I so enjoyed meeting you in San Diego and talking to you while you were adjusting the carb on that 28/29 roadster.
 
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All the 1928-9 open car doors that I've seen came with about a 12" by 12" pack of something like excelsior stuffed inside a thick paper waterproof bag. It fit tight between the inner panel and outer door skin, so it had to be in place before the skin was crimpped in place.

I suppose you could stitch up a cloth bag and fill it with something similar. Since the top of the door isn't open (except for the curtain rod pockets) to let water in, it shouldn't get wet. Or, you could use a dense foam to stuff in the door.
 
PO51 said:
I'm currently working on the doors of my 28 Open Pickup. The doors are in OK shape, I was wondering if Ford put any insulation inside the doors when new, mine are hollow. If they came with something what would be a good modern material to use or should I leave them the way they are?:confused:
Click to expand...

I found that the same (pictured) stuff was in both of my '30 roadster doors when purchased. Being that I had no clue what this stuff was and knowing that it had to have been put there during manufacture....I had no choice but to improvise. I chose the 'middle' type expanding foam and sprayed some in place of the original stuff. Not only is this foam waterproof, but it did provide support and sound proofing(from tinny sound). Probably others will offer other ways to do the deed, but my solution was quick/easy. Good luck with yours.
 
Yesterday I had to replace two power window motors on the front doors of a 2001 Cadilac. Each door had a sound packet about 12" square and about an inch thick. This part may not be sold seperately as a servicable item, but if it is, then 3 of these packets should be able to be stuffed into each door to replace the original single packet of excelsior.
 
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