355 challenge belt guards

I saw mention of these belt guards in an old thread whilst trying to find what tension to do alternator belt to. Did an RTFM in end and turned to manual for the tension.

the other parts are here
http://www.eurospares.co.uk/partTable.asp?M=1&Mo=512&A=1&B=28716&S=
seems several bits under the same part no. basically one lower and two upper guards, one goes under each of the cam belt covers.

I can see my need for these having had the odd trip into a gravel trap now and again!
Has anyone any experience of them? and has anyone made up their own versions of the top guards? Looks pretty easy template to copy.

 

Very helpful, i think i may try to buy the lower one and make a set of uppers. do you know if they are plastic? I was thinking of doing them in aluminium.

 

Ill give it a go and post the results.

 

Well after an awful lot of cutting out with bits of card I came up with these drawings that have gone to laser cutters today. I decided to do in an aluminium plate in end. the right side is also a little longer than factory version as there is a bigger gap there at bottom. Hope to have back early next week and we will see if they fit!
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Got lower guard from Ferrari today. This I thought a bargain at less than £20. Certainly compared to the others at 100 each! Its quite a complicated piece to fabricate as you can see, so easier to buy.
But fitting is another matter, thought i knew where it goes just above aircon unit on that side of the engine under that plastic cover.
But checking out where it bolts to was not so easy, turned out the parts diagram wasn't perfect and the lower strut needed some 'adjustment' to fit. Top of guard fits nicely under cover so presume got it right in end.
pics below.
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Thanks Bruce, This is on the 355 by way, keep meaning to change name. Ill have a closer look to see if it interferes with ac. I think you might get away with it. Now, if it fits and anyone wants a set they will be much cheaper now we have it set up for cutting.

 

Lets get them right first, and then happy to get some more cut.

Thats interesting thanks, when they use the same bolts as mounting ones cant see where extra pressure would come from. ill keep said eye open! Ive put a bit of tolerance in bolt holes so i hope none are tight.

will do.

 

There is an issue with belt clearance as standard. the belt hits it as can be seen in pic. However, i dont think its insurmountable. Especially given you have to adjust the mount anyway for lower bolt, I think the upper could be bent differently to move the guard in so its in line with lower edge of cam cover. Just havent tried that yet.
The upper edge may also need a bit of tweaking!
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Got prototype back from cutters. looking good although bottom holes need a little adjustment. just need to check against engine side now to confirm all well there!
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Thanks Dave, praise indeed from the master!

I needed to do a bit more tweaking than i thought as i want something that slips over the cam drive pulleys. This ver needed them taking off first. But got it sorted now, basic shape looks good and just made bolt holes a little larger to fit, just cant see how i can get access to fit the lower bolt on the inside hole. It will hold well without it as bolt throughs keep it in place. But as thread is there seems pity not to use.

I made these ones in ali but we could cut in plastic as well, may be better?
Can you tell me what original challenge plates done in?

Andrew

 

now you tell me!

 

Taking a few pics today and thought I should show you them installed.
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