Exhaust manifold heat shield

[red rose]

With the engine removed from my car, I could see that heat from the exhaust manifold had burnt the paint of the adjacent chassis tubes, which were rusting nicely.
[pic]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/tuscanrr/IMG_0103.jpg[/pic]

I cleaned these up and repainted. Chatting with the Phil at Racing Green I discovered that later cars are fitted with a heat shield. It took a bit of messing about to figure out which parts we wanted, but Phil and the chaps at the factory were very helpful, emailing down photos etc. so that I could see exactly what was what.
[pic]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/tuscanrr/IMG_1579.jpg[/pic]

Part numbers U2551 (heat shield tunnel cover) and U2554 (engine mount heat shield) were acquired at great expense and are now fitted – ready for the engine to be dropped back in next week!
[pic]http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y259/tuscanrr/IMG_1583.jpg[/pic]
If you have an early car (mine is 2001), it might be a good idea to check and see if you have a heat shield. Although designed to be fitted into an empty engine bay, I think it could be cut and worked into place with the engine in-situ.

Cheers
Ian

[basil brush]

I've had to do a temp on mine with POR15 and some thermo-tec sheet as my top chassis tube had started to develop surface rust. It looked a lot worse than it actually was but definitely worth checking. I can't believe it took the factory 2 years to realise this would be an issue, especially given the extent of the shielding round the tunnel etc.

How much was the shield, if you don't mind me asking?

[donaldhunter]

Thanks for the informative posting - the pictures are really useful. I have the same problem on my Tuscan and have been planning to add some form of heatshielding. If the OE parts are not too expensive I might buy them instead.

Cheers, Donald.

[red rose]

Sorry for delay in getting back to your questions.

The two heat shields came to £358 (inc VAT). They are made of some kind of fancy quilted aluminium stuff and look lovely, but an extortionate price IMHO.

Would have messed about and made something up myself, but didn't have
a) time,
b) skill
c) the nerve to say "no thanks" after Phil at Racing Green had been so helpful in identifying the parts.

Cheers
Ian