Scuzzle
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 11:35 AM |
|
|
Phenolic Spacers
Just wondering that a lot of cars have phenolic spacers between the carbs and manifold or between the manifold and block to keep the engine heat
from soaking in to them and also to increase power by keeping air temps down.
These were never really made for the Focus 2.0 engines as they had plastic intake manifolds anyway but I was just thinking about those of us who have
alloy manifolds and bike carbs.
Are these phenolic spacers worth making up and would there be any kind of gain to had if one was fitted between the head and the bike carb manifold
and if so how do I go about getting one, is it a case of buying a sheet and finding somewhere that can cut it and give them an inlet gasket as a
template.
|
|
|
|
|
DW100
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 12:02 PM |
|
|
Early zetecs with alloy manifolds had them as standard between the head and the manifold. I use one of these gaskets on my Mk1 Fiesta hillclimber with
a 2 litre Zetec, webber manifold and a pair of 45s that I used as throttle bodies. Not had any problems in the 10 years its been fitted.
Like this
INLET/INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET FORD ESCORT 1.8
[Edited on 21/7/14 by DW100]
|
|
|
coyoteboy
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 12:19 PM |
|
|
Any actual measured improvements or is it all just theoretical?
|
|
|
Scuzzle
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 12:40 PM |
|
|
I might actually have one of those early spacers you mention in a head gasket set, that would save any hassle making one if they fit straight up.
Cheers
|
|
|
40inches
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 01:05 PM |
|
|
If you have bike carbs with rubber mounts to the manifold, that would do the same job, wouldn't it?
|
|
|
Irony
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 01:45 PM |
|
|
I have read somewhere that it keeps temps in the carb down. Apparently petrol can boil in the float bowls!!!! Well thats what I read.
|
|
|
Scuzzle
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 01:45 PM |
|
|
Not sure, thats why I'm asking, the manifold will heat up but the carbs won't due to the silicone hose between them. Do I lose any power
when the air/ fuel travels through the hot inlet manifold, thats what I'm not sure about.
These zetecs run very hot so I'm not sure if there are minimal gains to be had or not.
[Edited on 21/7/14 by Scuzzle]
|
|
|
Paul Turner
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 02:00 PM |
|
|
The 2.0 Silvertop Zetec inlet manifold "gasket" is a thin alloy plate.
The 1.8 Silvertop Zetec inlet manifold "gasket" is a thicker plastic plate.
I was told by several Zetec specialists when I first fitted the engine to use the 1.8 one on a 2 litre because its thicker and has slightly better
insulation properties.
The 1.8 gasket has the same port dimensions as the 2.0 gasket thus only needs modifying if the head has been modified.
I have used the 1.8 gasket on 2 litre Silvertops and Blacktop since 2002 with no issues using both carbs and throttle bodies.
|
|
|
40inches
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 03:46 PM |
|
|
Just got back from a bit of a cruise around the Peak District, enough to get the engine oil up to 115-120c
The head where the hoses bolt on is at 98-100c, the carb float bowls are 43-45c. The rubber mounts work very well as a heat barrier
|
|
|
Scuzzle
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 04:05 PM |
|
|
So we're happy the bike carbs are well enough insulated from heat soak but what about the actual alloy manifold itself, what kind of temps did
it reach as thats what the phenolic spacer should be improving in theory.
[Edited on 21/7/14 by Scuzzle]
|
|
|
40inches
|
| posted on 21/7/14 at 09:41 PM |
|
|
No manifold on a bike engine, the rubber mounts bolt directly to the head, so if the head was the manifold, around 95c.
|
|
|
