cooling tin

[david c.]

Hi guys:

You may recall that I am in the process of fixing my spark plug hole. In doing so, I just spent about two hours removing everything from the top of the (912E) engine. This included one K/N air cleaner assembly, one Weber carb, all the hoses, pulling the distributor (thanks to all who offered advice-it went smoothly) and the friggin' cooling tin. What in the world is the point of that mess? I am sick to my stomach thinking of the reinstallation of that mess aside from the problem at hand.

I don't drive my car in the winter or really bad weather anymore, although I used to drive it daily, year round in Pittsburgh with crappy heat exchangers. That's another story...

Anyway, is there any common sense way to insulate the engine absent the factory tin? Is the purpose just to keep the heat of the exhaust components away from the intakes and from the wiring and melt-able components?

What have you all done about this?

Thanks,

David

[paulhagedorn]

There really isn't a way to do what the engine tin does without making something similar. The main purpose of the engine tine that is on top of the motor is to direct air flow around the cylinders and heads to cool them, not to keep them from melting other pieces, although that is part of it as well. The lower tin is to help the air flow around the cylinders as well as to keep heat from the heat exchangers away from the engine and dirt as well.

Paul

[TimW]

Air cooled engines are very sensitive to heat and running them without tin, or modified tin, is risky at best. I’m no engine expert, but that’s what I hear and read consistently. So, you will want to put it all back right where you found it. Sorry. Yes, even down to the last little piece that ~looks~ like it doesn’t do anything. It’s all there for a reason.

As for the spark plug hole, I feel for ya man!

Tim