In a message dated 3/30/02 2:11:10 PM, georgejoann@JUNO.COM writes:

<< <<...'86 Westy: Anyone out there found a good foam replacement for the
front heater vent flaps? Mine's rotted and I'm tired of frying my feet
with the air leakeage. >> >>

I have a hunk of material which must be the kissing cousin of the damper
gasket material used by VW.  The material appears to be an open cell foam
charcoal gray in color, of medium density, nominally 1/8 inch thick and faced
with a plastic scrim on both sides.  I would not be able to testify in open
court about where I picked up this stuff, but I have a vague recollection of
finding it at a floor covering house.  I believe it is used under some type
of floating floor system.  I have used it twice, now, to redo the damper
flaps in Vanagons and it seems to be just the thing for the job.  It is the
correct density to allow the low weight of the gravity check dampers to seal
them completely.  Also, it is cheap.  I bought enough to last through several
lifetimes of Vanagon ownership (God forbid!) for a couple of dollars.

Rich