Thread: 4.6 head gasket

I've been running mine for around 2 years without the heat shield on the LHS. A bit like yourself it was a PITA trying to refit so I left it off. One day I must get around to refitting. But first I need to remove what's left of a broken bolt still attached to the exhaust manifold.....the front one that attaches to the spacer

I git the long one at the back broken on both sides, had to mutilate the ones at the front and back as captive nuts let go etc. etc.
cheers
blaze

Mine did not come of in one piece either. I cleaned the manifold and did not replace them since it is almost impossible to do. I do worry about heat in the engine bay though so I have been thinking about that heat wrap stuff to wrap around the manifold.

My biggest worry with that though is that it is a cloth like structure and when wading or mudding it'll get completely soaked and I am not sure how well the stuff can handle it, or what it'll do in the engine bay after a while, perhaps even flammable organic residu in the water will get lodged into the fabric and might at the very least smoke a lot There is also evidence that in most cases the metal will get too hot this way and trapped moist will get superheated, eroding the steel very fast. An alternative is to get them ceramic coated. Could be expensive but would last a lifetime and considerably reduces the heat.

In any case, I do not feel like replacing those pesky pieces of metal since there is almost no way to do that without running the risk of them (bolts) seazing up again.

If you do not wade or mud very deep, I would certainly consider that wrap around stuff since it is easy, works better than those shields and uses less space, ie. a better accessible engine but do a bit a of research on the subject regarding early wear.

Also, I almost forgot, my gems manifolds have a flexible piece on them and I doubt that you can coat that with ceramics.

Cheers,

-P

Hi,

There was a report that someone melted their brake fluid reservoir because they removed those shields, so i would be wary.

I use anti-seize on the bolts when I replace them.

Also I use a very long extension, after removing the guard liner, to get to the rearmost bolts. I also undo the engine mount and jack the engine up slightly on the drivers side, it makes it much easier to get the shields off !

Steve

I had to "mechanically adjust" mine, too. Ended up removing them completely, and went with a wrap, instead. I'll let you know if the car catches fire

I think I am going to go with a wrap.
Heads are now in the hands of the recondition, quoted $440 for the pleasure of his work.
Also got pushrod on the loose, was pushing the buggers through a bit of cardboard, put in 3 and then when number 4 went in, number 1 fell through, down beside the radiator somewhere, shouldn't to to hard to find should it. You gotta be kiddin, its disappeared
oh the joy
cheers
blaze

So you going to go to ARB studs or get new stretch bolts?

Garry

new stretch bolts
cheers
blaze