<VV> Engine air baffles

[Sethracer at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/15/2007 9:39:21 PM Pacific Daylight Time,  
jdavethomson at shaw.ca writes:

So in  rebuilding a parted out 140-4, I see that the "engine air baffles" are 
noted  as an important installation component to cooling the engine.   The  
rebuild has none, but I got the right ones from my stash.  I am at a bit  of a 
loss as to the method to install these baffles.   The GM parts  manual 
diagrams I have are not clear and neither are the Corvair Underground  or Clarks 
catalogs.   Can anyone give me tips as to how these are to  go in  (and in fact 
are they really needed?).

Dave T 


 
Dave - As Chuck said, they are absolutely needed. They route the cooling  
air, blown down over the cylinders, to make sure the lower part of the cylinder  
receives enough cooling. Most importantly - they should be installed  after 
the heads are slid onto the cases, but before the pushrod tubes are  installled. 
Having the heads on, even though not tightened down, keeps the  cylinders 
stable. The baffles hug the bottom of the cylinders and are retained  by those 
two clips (per side) which snap over the lower head studs, holding the  baffle 
upwards. Only after the baffles are installed, should you install the  pushrod 
tubes. There are dozens of folks on VV who have finished torquing the  heads 
(not a fun job) only to note that the baffles are still sitting on the  bench. 
Stuff happens. But don't let it happen to you! - Seth  Emerson



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