are the carb heat shields worth it?

[jackag91]

Since I am pulling the header off this weekend, I was wondering if the heat shields are worth getting?

WHat kind of experience have people had with them?

By the way, it's a TR6 with dual SU's

 

[swift6]

Are coating the header and putting it back on or going back to the stock manifold? If either of those then the heat shields might not have a very noticeable effect unless you have been having heat related carb issues. They won't hurt anything either though.

 

[jackag91]

I am just going to paint the headers with some header paint. They look like the monza headers. Last fall when I would take the car out if it got above 90, the car would start to get a little erratic like it was having a problem with fuel delivery.

So I thought this would be a cheap insurance plan for the texas summers.

 

[Tinster]

Jack,

A few things to note.

I purchased the carb heat shield from The Roadster
Factory during the 15 months the Crypt Car was not
functional. I figured ANYTHING would be better than
what I had and maybe the carbs were too hot for the car
to run more than a few minutes.

1. The heat shield piece for the twin carbs is NOT a
direct bolt on. Mine required several hours with a bench
grinder, drill press and round steel hand file to cut out
various openings and shapes needed to install with my carbs.

2. I had to purchase 6 longer air cleaner box mounting
bolts because the stoct bolts were too short with the
heat shield installed. (not a big deal)

3. I powder coated my heat shield gloss black and it looks pretty cool.

Now that the car is operational, I woud NOT purchase the
heat shield again.

d

 

[jackag91]

Thanks,

#1 was really what I was worried about having to do. So maybe this goes into the maybe this winter project pile.

You guys have saved me (and my wallet) from myself more than once.

 

[martx-5]

You'll just find something else to lighten the wallet! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif

 

[PeterK]

I am just going to paint the headers with some header paint. They look like the monza headers. Last fall when I would take the car out if it got above 90, the car would start to get a little erratic like it was having a problem with fuel delivery.

Your erratic starting after it get hot indicates fuel percolation which introduces air bubbles in the fuel supply and results in "vapor lock." In this case the heat shield should eliminate the problem; that's what they are designed for.

My 3A had the same problem and I wrapped the fuel lines from the pump to the carbs with special heat reflective tubing and this alone fixed it. But I also have one of Joe A's heat shields on the shelf for the next time I hace the carbs off. https://www.the-vintage-racer.com/Heatshields/ . Joe sells to all the vendors and is also a vintage racer. Parts is a side line for him. The shields are stainless steel and need no paint and they do not need cutting or modifications to fit. Maybe Dale ordered the wrong one?

 

[Tinster]

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[philknight]

I put a heat shield on my TR6 with no issues, Just took a couple seconds longer to bolt the shield/filters back on. Remember you'll need two additional gaskets.

 

[PeterK]

Dale,

If it didn't fit, send the image and a note to the dealer who sold it to you. If it was Joe Alexander, I expect that he would send the correct one. Anyone else, who knows. But send it to them not me.

Nice mod btw.

 

[Tinster]

PeterK
???????????????

 

[PeterK]

sup Dale?

My point is this: If a vendor is selling a part that doesn't fit, he needs to know so that he can fix the problem. SO if you don't communicate the fitment issue with your particular car to Joe (looks like an ARE part in your pic), other TR6 owners might have the same problem as you. Joe's a great guy.

PL

 

[mrv8q]

FWIW, I put Joe's heatshield in my car, and at the time, did a couple other things to the car. Though I can't say it's all the shield's work, the car runs considerably better after putting in the carb shield. Joe's a great guy, w/ terrific customer service. I'm looking forward to put one on my '6, as well....

 

[SkinnedKnuckles]

My FWIW - After installing triple ZS's I thought the carbs/manifolds were too hot. So I wrapped the manifolds with a fiber strip insulation. They were actually hotter when wrapped which means the heat was coming from the head by conduction and the wrap trapped the heat. Discarded the insulation (not a good idea around potential fuel leaks...) and ducted air from in front of the radiator to the carb area. My opinion is the heat shields won't help much.

BB

 

[Tinster]

PeterK- Didn't mean to offend you or your friend.

Due to total my inexperience, I just figured the carb heat
shield was a generic TR6 stamp out that required modifications
for individual car set-ups.

It really wasn't a big deal, compared to everything else.

D

 

[MadMarx]

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Hmm...I do sometimes ask silly questions.....

A black heat shield?
It does absorb radiation heat, right?
Then it get's warm or hot?
The hot heat shield is mounted to the carbs. Does make carbs warm, doesn't it?

So, what is the clue of it?

If I would design a heat shield it would be made out of shiny polished sheet metal and NOT be mounted to the carbs.
It would reflect heat back to the engine like a mirror.

 

[MadMarx]

To reflect radiation I have polished my inlet header....

Don't take care of the fresh air tube on the right side. This photo was made to show the new air horns. The tube is not in the right position for such long horns.

 

[PeterK]

No offense to me Dale. And I've never personally met Joe A. But from what I DO know of him from doing business with him, I doubt he would be offended. Rather, he would be interested on what you had to modify and why so he could improve his product.

And as Max said, it's unpainted stainless steel for a reason.

 

[Tinster]

PeterK,

You will just have to put up with my blunders.

I will never be the expert you are with old cars.
I claim expert status in other arenas.

1. I had zero knowledge of auto mechanics when
my wife bought the car from a crook.

2. There are no Triumph mechanics on the island.

3. I have no other TRs I can go look at to see how
things go together.

4. My car was butchered by previous owners with
many critical pieces missing.

5. Other than this forum, I have not a single
person I can ask for help or discuss this TR6.

6. I am sure there are other novice members in
exactly the same position I am.

Your negative attitude might put off some decent,
inexperienced folks from posing questions that
you consider are stupid and mundane. That would be
a loss to us all.

Give it some thought and chill out.

dale

 

[PeterK]

Dale,

I'll make this an abreviated version of my reply to you:

I try to get directly to the point with my replies to you and all, no b.s. and no smalltalk. I am a self taught mechanic that has learned by fixing my own car, no help here, no other TRs around anywhere, nobody to ask and no other cars to look at, same as you. My car was purchased in boxes, completely unassembled. I learned by buying a service manual, parts catalogs and restoring each an every assembly and part on my car, by myself.

No questions you or anyone may ask are stupid or mundane (your words not mine.) If you think my helping you puts you off then don't listen. And if anyone thinks I have a negative attitude about something I live and breathe every day , I apologize. I'm a car nut not a therapist. If I have no experience on the subject, I will not offer help. But if I do, you will get the benefit of my mistakes and successes from my own experience. That's how we learn. My favorite books are the service instruction and parts manuals. Frankly though, owning a classic ride requires constant attention to mechanical and electrical systems, or a fat wallet.

You should be proud of getting your car on the road again. So have a little cheese with that whine and enjoy your 6.

Any when you need help again, I'll try to help if I can.

PK