The Ford Barn

imacrazy · 12-03-2015, 08:26 AM

Fellows, is advisable to put a heat shield on to protect the distributer, with the manifold heater?

2manycars · 12-03-2015, 08:29 AM

I never have used one. The old condensers of years ago would fail from the heat, but the good ones that A&L makes, and the good suppliers sell do not have that problem.

Kurt in NJ · 12-03-2015, 08:44 AM

I have gotten the A&L condenser hot enough to melt solder, never skips a beat in the heat, been using the same condenser for 25 years, no need for a heat shield

DougVieyra · 12-03-2015, 11:44 AM

If I remember correctly (dangerous assumption), the Ford Motor Company in responding to dealer (and owner) complaints, made the DISTRIBUTOR HEAT BAFFLE a Dealer-supplied Authorized accessory, in December of 1929. So at that time, the Ford Motor Company thought the heat baffle might do some good.

Not with-standing that A&L now makes a 'Heat Proof' (resistant) condenser that has removed much of the problem of the original 1920s-'30s type of 'old technology', the accessory 'Heat Baffle' still does some good at deflecting some exhaust manifold heat away from the Distributor's condenser.

It has been a long time since I used one of these 'neat gadgets', so someone might want to help refresh my memory - does the heat shield get in the way of accessing the Distributor 'Oiler' for routine lubrication maintenance of the Distributor ?

Aerocraft · 12-03-2015, 11:53 AM

I have been running two Model A's with Autolite "waffle style" manifold heaters and have not had a condenser failure although I have changed them at roughly 10K miles. The heat shield (manufacturer unknown) that I have in my collection, but don't use, will not fit with the manifold heater installed.

Gar Williams

duke36 · 11-27-2017, 02:27 PM

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Only blocks access to the distributor retaining set screw and may require draining coolant to install. Not sure much benefit with the shield and modern points/upper plate.

Jacksonlll · 11-27-2017, 02:33 PM

The heater cover acts as a very good heat shield.

Y-Blockhead · 11-27-2017, 04:13 PM

The thing I don't like about the distributor heat shield is that the head nuts only come in contact with part of the shield because the hole is open on one side and have very little contact. My Town Sedan came with this heat shield but now resides in my "Spares" drawer.

I suppose you could install a washer but then the nut isn't threaded down all the way.

12-03-2015, 08:26 AM	#1
imacrazy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 163	Heat Shield Fellows, is advisable to put a heat shield on to protect the distributer, with the manifold heater?

12-03-2015, 08:29 AM	#2
2manycars Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,732	Re: Heat Shield I never have used one. The old condensers of years ago would fail from the heat, but the good ones that A&L makes, and the good suppliers sell do not have that problem.

12-03-2015, 08:44 AM	#3
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,159	Re: Heat Shield I have gotten the A&L condenser hot enough to melt solder, never skips a beat in the heat, been using the same condenser for 25 years, no need for a heat shield

12-03-2015, 11:44 AM	#4
DougVieyra Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Eureka, California Posts: 1,716	Re: Heat Shield If I remember correctly (dangerous assumption), the Ford Motor Company in responding to dealer (and owner) complaints, made the DISTRIBUTOR HEAT BAFFLE a Dealer-supplied Authorized accessory, in December of 1929. So at that time, the Ford Motor Company thought the heat baffle might do some good. Not with-standing that A&L now makes a 'Heat Proof' (resistant) condenser that has removed much of the problem of the original 1920s-'30s type of 'old technology', the accessory 'Heat Baffle' still does some good at deflecting some exhaust manifold heat away from the Distributor's condenser. It has been a long time since I used one of these 'neat gadgets', so someone might want to help refresh my memory - does the heat shield get in the way of accessing the Distributor 'Oiler' for routine lubrication maintenance of the Distributor ?

12-03-2015, 11:53 AM	#5
Aerocraft Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Naperville, IL Posts: 1,387	Re: Heat Shield I have been running two Model A's with Autolite "waffle style" manifold heaters and have not had a condenser failure although I have changed them at roughly 10K miles. The heat shield (manufacturer unknown) that I have in my collection, but don't use, will not fit with the manifold heater installed. Gar Williams

11-27-2017, 02:27 PM	#6
duke36 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 1,414	Re: Heat Shield Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Only blocks access to the distributor retaining set screw and may require draining coolant to install. Not sure much benefit with the shield and modern points/upper plate.

11-27-2017, 02:33 PM	#7
Jacksonlll Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Michigan-- Member of Oakleaf of MARC Posts: 1,686	Re: Heat Shield The heater cover acts as a very good heat shield.

11-27-2017, 04:13 PM	#8
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: Heat Shield The thing I don't like about the distributor heat shield is that the head nuts only come in contact with part of the shield because the hole is open on one side and have very little contact. My Town Sedan came with this heat shield but now resides in my "Spares" drawer. I suppose you could install a washer but then the nut isn't threaded down all the way.