Distributor cover

[Mark H.]

There is an aluminum cover on some cars (MKII's) that sits above the distributor, attached to the intake plenum. Was this cover for rain protection?

 

[Ryan L]

I don't know what the answer is, but I would say probably that as well as well as to help with sealing of the bodywork around the intake to provide consistent cold air induction

 

[Mark H.]

Thanks Ryan, I was thinking to keep water from leaking on the distributor? Have never seen anything discussed about its function.

 

[Jean-Marc]

I would say it is probably a heat shield

 

[BenL]

I would say it is probably a heat shield

If it were a heat shield, wouldn't it go between the distributor and a heat source?

 

[Jean-Marc]

You are right, I was speaking about the enclosure around the carburator.
But the car is equiped with the 427 that generate a lot of heat, it seems that the black box on each side is a venting chanel that would bring some frech air to the distributor from the right side of the car. Is it a stupid speculation ?

 

[Mark H.]

More perplexing. Horizontal sheet metal shield (below the rear window) both sides of the distributor cover, would seem to hold hot air, unless fresh air is coming from below, front of engine. Have seen these shields on the MKIV too, but these are connected to the dist cover, unlike the photo above.