"Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe" The Sea Hawk at wowway d0t com wrote:
Why would an updraft intake system be more resistant to ice?

Heat rises, so I would expect a downdraft system, mounted above the
engine block, to be more resistant to icing.

"Typically" cooling air comes in above the engine, flows down between the
cylinders, then out the bottom. This makes it colder up top, and warmer
below. There are, of course, exceptions.

This has been one of the most friendly informative threads yet on this
newsgroup, How refreshing!
John