TheSamba.com :: View topic - new cylinder head internal air deflectors

Thu May 03, 2012 9:59 am

I am working on developing new cylinder head internal air deflectors - I mean that little rectangular sheet metal part that goes on the bottom of the heads that has the slot cut in it for the thermostat rod. Does it have a better name? As you know, many aftermarket and some "factory" heads do not come with this. My plan is to get them laser cut from spring steel, then powdercoat them for rust prevention. I got 2 questions:
1 - the factory part has indentations in the little tabs to give them some "springyness", would they still work if I just made them flat tabs?
2 - are there any changes to the design you would like to see, specifically for different brands of cylinder heads? I imagine there is variation in fin spacing & fin thickness. Any suggestions on how to handle that?

thanks!

Thu May 03, 2012 10:22 am

I make mine out of aluminum.only had 1 fall out then changed the way i did them.
the mofoco heads donot have them either and the oe ones do not fit, so you might want to make some for them. might even contact roy at mofoco to see if he wants to add them to his line.

Thu May 03, 2012 10:58 am

Yep. I have an old baking pan that I've been cutting those things out of. 10 minutes with tin-snips ... done.

Max

Fri May 04, 2012 8:32 am

mark tucker wrote: I make mine out of aluminum.only had 1 fall out then changed the way i did them.
the mofoco heads donot have them either and the oe ones do not fit, so you might want to make some for them. might even contact roy at mofoco to see if he wants to add them to his line.

Actually will be experimenting with them this summer on my next engine. If and when I decide to use them, I'll be cutting them out of stainless on our waterjet.

Fri May 04, 2012 9:11 am

hey roy didnt you have something new coming out this spring???? wasup?whatsit??
I do make my air deflectors a bit longer too, trying to be sure the air turns the corner good and flows across the finns good not just hit deflect at a 45 drgree angle then to the ground. thinken about a curved or _A_ shaped in the center to direct better instead of just a flat peice.

Fri May 04, 2012 9:47 am

volkaholic1 wrote:
1 - the factory part has indentations in the little tabs to give them some "springyness", would they still work if I just made them flat tabs?

thanks!

I would make the tabs slightly larger and twist them before putting them on, the metals want to return to normal(untwist) will hold the deflectors in place

volkaholic1 wrote:
2 - are there any changes to the design you would like to see, specifically for different brands of cylinder heads? I imagine there is variation in fin spacing & fin thickness. Any suggestions on how to handle that?

I'm wondering about the airflow, does it come from the top, or run along the bottom-this will change the design ? I don't know exactly how the cooling air flows over the heads so if some one could explain that to me thanks(sorry for thread-jacking)

Fri May 04, 2012 9:59 am

I think it should have the indented tabs. And a special tool for pressing them into position. If you want to make them a stock replacement that is.
Otherwise they can surely be approved - see Marks remark.

Fri May 04, 2012 12:49 pm

what about doing something like above? sorry for the small pic its just something I drew in paint, but hopefully the general idea is good

the little upside down U on the red deflector is a tab with a hole welded to the deflector to hold the piece up to the head(using tension to keep it tight)

the one thing you would need to watch out for is how long you do the deflector-it could interfere with the pushrod tubes, and marks idea of " _A_" might not work because of the fin design in that area

and I think the correct terminology is air dam? could be wrong