Date: Tue, 30 Sep 2003 22:32:20 -0400
From: Kevin Trent <trentkc@domain.elided>
Subject: [alfa] 105/115 front heat shield
The front heat shield on 105 and 115 Alfas fit underneath the car screwed
to the floorpan above the front muffler/resonator. These heat shields are
made of slightly curved sheet metal with asbestos insulation stapled to
them, and protect the drivers legs and feet from the heat generated from
the front resonator. The same design is used on Spider, GTV, and Berlina.
The problem with these heat shields is that they deteriorate after 20-30
years, rust, cause vibrations and start to rattle between the exhaust and
floor pan. A couple of questions:
Are replacements available (I've never seen them advertised)?
Can they be deleted entirely - or will the drivers feet cook?
The form of the heat shield is fairly simple, and I believe I could
fabricate the basic form. But the insulation is a problem, any
suggestions? What would I really need to deflect the exhaust heat (and
avoid NVH)?
I have two shields, both of which are pretty rotten with rust, and
insulation that is falling off. I'm replacing the exhaust on a 73 GTV, and
now is the time to delete, repair, replace or fabricate the heat shield
before installing the exhaust. Any suggestions?
Thanks, //kct, Powell, TN