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Rear heat shield - a Ferrari Mystery

Discussion in '348/355' started by Volair, Jun 19, 2013.

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  1. Volair

    Volair Karting

    Apr 11, 2013
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    Carmel, Indiana
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    Bart
    #1 Volair, Jun 19, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    So few weeks ago Ernie and I got together to check out the new-to-me 1990 348ts. Within 5 seconds of looking at the engine compartment Ernie points out to me: "Man you are missing the heat sheield by the tail lights." At first I was arguing with him as my car is one of these garage queens and has everything original, so I was like no way man but who am I to argue with the master.
    I was a bit miffed that I missed that during the purchase inspection as I really went thoroughly through the car.
    Ernie of course puts the fear of God in me saying that if I do not get one soon, my tail light covers will melt. And he is right, one of the corners of the light covers started to melt a bit.

    Went home and lo-and-behold Ernie is right. The car SHOULD have had a rear het shield - it is on the parts diagram.
    Fast forward few weeks - while browsing the ferrari chat forums I see that FatBillyBob has one for sale. YEAH! So I get it and today I proceed to install it.

    Now... get this... Ferrari NEVER INSTALLED THE REAR HEAT SHIELD on my car. So I was at least partially right Ernie. LOL. How do I know that? There are no holes or studs drilled in the chassis FROM THE FACTORY!

    I would really like to know from you gurus how is that possible? Were the workers watching the Italy-France soccer game and they had more important things on their mind at that time?

    Anyway, below project completed. Drilled the missing hoes and Used some high-temp barbecue paint to get everything nice and shiny.

    Bart
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  2. Extreme

    Extreme F1 Rookie

    May 26, 2010
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    #2 Extreme, Jun 19, 2013
    It's good to see you got it all taken car of.
    I sometimes think the guys at Ferrari forgot their checklist for the day.
     
  3. LouB747

    LouB747 Formula 3

    Apr 8, 2009
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    #3 LouB747, Jun 19, 2013
    I've been wanting to paint mine and freshen it up, but I'm sorta afraid that the paint will smell when it gets hot. Any smell?
     
  4. Volair

    Volair Karting

    Apr 11, 2013
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    Bart
    #4 Volair, Jun 19, 2013
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2013
    No smell. It actually cures with heat. Just make sure you use the high temp version.
     
  5. bosshog8

    bosshog8 Formula Junior

    Mar 13, 2011
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    Demetrius
    #5 bosshog8, Jun 19, 2013
    I'm no guru by any means but to address your question my mind thinks like this: it's not totally unlikely the factory forgot the heat shield for a variety of reasons but I immediately think "I better take a real good look" because owners of these cars tend to pay for damage and not use insurance so no vehicle history reporting. To me it would make more sense for a body guy to forget it. I'm not saying this is the case but I am playing devils advocate....sorry.
     
  6. Volair

    Volair Karting

    Apr 11, 2013
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    Carmel, Indiana
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    Bart
    #6 Volair, Jun 19, 2013
    But the rear heat shield is mounted to the rear subframe with 2 machine screws and there should be 2 studs where the slots are. None of these holes were drilled. None studs present. front shield was properly installed. That's why I'm suspecting Ferrari either did not install it OR it did not become an official part until some time after my serial number.
     
  7. fatbillybob

    fatbillybob Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Aug 10, 2002
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    #7 fatbillybob, Jun 19, 2013
    That is a funny story! I think they drink lots of wine at the factory.
     
  8. Falcon Wing

    Falcon Wing Formula 3

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    #8 Falcon Wing, Jun 20, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. PatrikD

    PatrikD Rookie

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    #9 PatrikD, Jun 20, 2013
    I missing that battery heatshield/cover, is there a reproduction of that?


    Best Regards

    Patrik
     
  10. GTO Joe

    GTO Joe Formula 3
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    #10 GTO Joe, Jun 20, 2013
    I have a July '89 build car and the shield is on it. The battery cover is listed as available from our good source Recambi but it is not cheap.
     
  11. Volair

    Volair Karting

    Apr 11, 2013
    241
    Carmel, Indiana
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    Bart
    #11 Volair, Jun 20, 2013
    No battery cover either. But I have the tail light covers that you don't have (at least in this photo.
     
  12. TheOnlyest

    TheOnlyest Formula 3

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    #12 TheOnlyest, Jun 20, 2013
    That would be because he obviously has a LeMans grille on there (round taillight conversion), I recognize that wiring harness, cuz I made it! ;)
     
  13. 348Jeff

    348Jeff Formula 3

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    #13 348Jeff, Jun 20, 2013
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  14. ernie

    ernie Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #14 ernie, Jun 20, 2013
    Nice job Bart.

    Interesting that no holes were there at all?! Sounds like a case of too much vino at lunch time.
     
  15. V 12

    V 12 Karting

    Aug 24, 2010
    103
    #15 V 12, Jun 21, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I think this is not so strange.

    I know another early 1990 348 TB without them with vin finishing on 4259.

    The image is from a car with only ~6.000 Km.

    Any other early 1990 348 owners could confirm that?

    Is your VIN near that one?
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  16. Blulagos

    Blulagos Formula Junior

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    #16 Blulagos, Jun 21, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    My 348, assembly nr 296 and Vin ending on 83466 (build date 09/89) hasn't got them either, and I'm pretty sure it is original.

    Another weird thing with my car is that the front firewall isn't matte black but actually red. I showed the car to my bodyshop (Ferrari specialist) and he's pretty sure the car hasn't been repainted. Could it be that some of these early cars had a red firewell?

    Thanks,

    David
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  17. V 12

    V 12 Karting

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    #17 V 12, Jun 25, 2013
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  18. Volair

    Volair Karting

    Apr 11, 2013
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    Bart
    #18 Volair, Jun 25, 2013
    I see you are missing caps on wiper arms. This means they most likely have been removed. Why? Maybe to paint the firewall. Not to alarm you but there should be covers on the bolts on the wiper arms.
     
  19. PatrikD

    PatrikD Rookie

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    #19 PatrikD, Jun 25, 2013
    Hijackning this tread, kan anyone give me the number for the battery cover at Ricambi?, i must be blind can not find it there... :-(


    Patrik
     
  20. GTO Joe

    GTO Joe Formula 3
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    #20 GTO Joe, Jun 25, 2013
    Table 42, item #43 for the battery cover (they are hard to find :) ). Early cars didn't have cover over the MC.
     
  21. Tavutatete

    Tavutatete Rookie

    Feb 24, 2013
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    #21 Tavutatete, Jun 25, 2013
    My last car was a 348 assembly nr 490 and it was exactelly as your car ...
     
  22. Blulagos

    Blulagos Formula Junior

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    #22 Blulagos, Jun 25, 2013
    Many thanks Hervé!
     
  23. Tavutatete

    Tavutatete Rookie

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    #23 Tavutatete, Jun 25, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  24. PatrikD

    PatrikD Rookie

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    #24 PatrikD, Jun 26, 2013
    Thanks!
     
  25. vvassallo

    vvassallo F1 Veteran

    Aug 4, 2006
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    #25 vvassallo, Jun 26, 2013
    2.5 cars. Early models. All this makes sense. Ferrari always makes subtle changes through a model line. Very interesting read though. Always fun to compare a 89 or 90 car to a 95 spider.
     
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