Can someone describe the operation of the exhaust manifold heat shield to air cleaner on my 351 Windsor (69 XR7)? My understanding is that the heat shield pre heats air to facilitate cold weather starting/warm up.
How cold of weather?
If the heat shield is not installed how will it effect starting/warm up in above freezing weather?
Is it shielding anything from excessive manifold heat?
Is the heat shield a culprit in causing cracked exhaust manifolds?
Does a electronic choke bypass the need for the heat shield?
I know it is a lot of questions. My situation is I just rebuilt my engine and it sounds like I have to put the heat shield on before it installing the engine. If It is not required for safety or performance I will not install it. I cleaned and repainted the heat shield and it is in excellent condition. I have a Holley 4160 with electric choke that came with the engine. I would love to hear some opinions!!!
As I don’t know where you are or your planed use; if your going to only summer use it and plan to put an open air cleaner on it don’t use it. But if you plan to use the stock air cleaner and snorkel it will look better with it installed.
It heats the intake air for better cold weather drive ability. If you are going to drive the car occasionally I think you would be fine to leave it off. I would keep all of the parts in a safe place because some air cleaner parts are becoming hard to find and quite pricey.
Steven
The snorkel heat tube attaches to the exhaust manifold via a pair of studs and nuts on your 351W. It is easily installed or removed with the engine in the car.
The preheated air has no effect on starting the car because there is no heat then. The preheated air is intended to assist in col weather driveability. The door on the snorkel should close at 50 - 60 degrees F.
It has a marginal effect, and only for the first minute or two. You won’t miss it if most of your driving is on nice days. If you are using the car as a daily driver in Manitoba then it might be something that you would install from September - May. Your profile is blank so we have no idea where you drive or live.
Thank you so much for the input. I will keep the heat shield in safe keeping. It is nice to know I can install/remove the shield as needed. I read a mustang blog that stated you cannot get the heat shield off without unbolting a motor mount and tilting the engine up!