Vent the heat? Louvers?

[nj82tj]

After a few hours of work today I shut off my NAA I noticed quite a bit of vapor venting from the gas cap. I opened it slowly to find that the gas was boiling in the tank...I let it cool obviously then started thinking about how to keep the gas cooler since it sits on top of the motor on my old Ford. I want to put some heat shielding on it to deflect some heat, but I'm curious if anyone has put louvers in their hoods to vent the heat? My temp gauge shows normal temp range during operation so I'm not VERY alarmed but would like some opinions or ideas on this. Thanks!

 

[Jerry/MT]

If you are talking about venting the top of the hood with louvers, that will most likely transfer more heat to the tank. A heat shield is a better approach. Just a thin piece of sheet metal between the tank and the top of the engine and exhaust manifold with about one inch of space between the the tank and the sheet is all you'll need

 

[nj82tj]

Thank you for the advice! While I'm not sure I understand how venting the hood could make the tank hotter, my first approach is going to be the heat shield. It will be easier too, I think.

 

[Jerry/MT]

With the engine off you'll have more warm air rising around the fuel tank with louvers than without so you'll have more convective heat transfer. . You could put forward facing louvers on the top of sheet metal but tractors don't move fast enough to generate enough dynamic pressure to force a significant ammount of flow though them and the place you need the cooling is at the bottom of the tank.

Louvers are generally used as vents where cooler air enters an engine compartment, cools the contents then flows through the louvers to exit the compartment. They are also more generally used on vehicles that travel much faster than a tractor.

I believe the 600-800 series Fords had tank heat shields on them.

 

[RickB]

If it hasn't burnt up in the last 58 years it will probably be OK the way it is.

 

[nj82tj]

Thanks Jerry/MT. I'm going to put a shield on it.

 

[Gary Fowler]

You might also try putting on some of the reflective backed insulation around and below the tank if possible.

 

[Soundguy]

does it have the OEm heat shields on it.. especially the one ove rthe muffler ???

take pics if you don't know...

 

[nj82tj]

does it have the OEm heat shields on it.. especially the one ove rthe muffler ???

take pics if you don't know...

There is one above the muffler. I don't see any between motor and gas tank though. I'm going to try some self adhesive shield there.

 

[Soundguy]

not much heat comes off the valve cover.. it's a mostly empty cavity with a valve train above the head.

the muffler itself is the big source