Distributor Heat Shield

[Fred Ryan]

Is it worthwhile to install a distributor heat shield?

[Bigsnapper43]

Never ran one, five on the shelf.

[Y-Blockhead]

I don't like the way they mount, under the two head nuts. The nuts don't make full contact with the head.

[doa44green]

Waste of money!!!!

[Synchro909]

Someone thought they could see a chance to make some $.

[German guy]

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How hot does your engine tend to get? After an hour of driving at moderate speeds in 85+ F heat I can tap the head without it burning....the engine never seems to cast off a lot of heat when I stop and open the hood. That said..I do not have an inline temp gauge so I do not know what the exact temp is. The side vents tend to dissipate a great deal of heat, and the standard fans are very effective. I have read that some drive at slow speeds in long parades at high outside temps and experience overheating...but it does not seem to be a common problem in normal use.


I would first consider flushing my cooling system a few times and possibly installing a 6 blade fan before installing the distributor heat shield.

[TomInCologne]

i like the look of it, so no waste of money…

[old ugly]

i have no idea if they do any good.
i had one years back, i did not see any advantage to using it and i would not buy one.
The one thing i did not like about it, when it came to pulling the distributor out it had to come off to access the dist hold down screw so i never put it back on.

[alexiskai]

They block the distributor set screw. They require loosening of head nuts to remove. And their entire purpose is to protect a condenser design that's no longer in use (modern condensers are heat-resistant). No reason to use.

[Gary WA]

[QUOTE=Fred Ryan;2453955]Is No!

[Bob Bidonde]

In the old days, when condensers failed from radiated heat, the heat shield had a purpose. Today the heat shield is an unnecessary decoration because condensers are superior and withstand the heat.

[duke36]

All of the above prior comments:ditto
Experience has shown that the shield radiates heat up from the head towards the condenser. If concern about condenser issues, mount the condenser up by the coil.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by duke36

All of the above prior comments:ditto
Experience has shown that the shield radiates heat up from the head towards the condenser. If concern about condenser issues, mount the condenser up by the coil.

I carry my spare condenser attached to the coil mounting bracket so that if I need it, I simply disconnect the one in the distributer and connect it - done!

[wwirz]

Never worked for me.