Bottom engine plates/shields

In the shot of Brian H's exhaust/engine in the Files section (BigDrag), what are the two black metal plates attached to the heater boxes and the pan, shielding the pushrod tubes?

Are they part of the cooling system, or are they for protection of the pushrod tubes (stones, etc.)?

Thanks very much. Some cars have them, and some don't.

Bob

I haven't looked at that picture, but stock VW engine cooling tin includes a flat bottom plate on each side.

Good point,

When I took my JPS into the local VW shop the shop owner noticed I didn't have any of the above described pans either. He said that they help in cooling and above all rock protection. He said he has to do major repair work quite often on cars that have removed the pans. He indicated that rocks would fly up and dent the pushrod tubes causing
major problems. He fabricated some alumiunum sheets to create the rock protection function and also ramped the front of the sheet up to allow better air flow on the cylinders. I haven't driven the car much after this to watch the temp guage. I do a lot of driving on rural roads and many times have avoided fairly good size rocks but sooner or later I probably would hit one and risk the damage that might result.

Bruce

I also don't have those protector plates. I like Bruce's idea of having them turn down at the incoming airflow side, to increase air flowing under the cylinders. I don't know if this would aid in cooling, but it's worth a go. Another thing to do over the winter.
Ron

Ron, I may be mistaken, but I think Bruce ment to bend the plates up in the front to help air flow from the fan, not down to scoop air from below the engine. Don't now if that's what you ment. Eddie

Eddie,

You're correct, bend the forward part of the shield up. It was a neat installation. He had a metal break and is a very proffesional job. As I said I haven't run the car over a couple of miles since, but tomorrow looks like a good day so will put some miles on it and watch the temps.

Bruce

Hey Guys,
about 20 yrs ago i worked in a vw eng. rebuilding shop.
The owner/master engine builder was very particular about the cooling tin, engine compartment seal etc..
obviously whoever is [re]building these engines now is taking
some liberties. there is another small piece of tin that mounts
between the cylinders [on bottom], that diverts the air around
the lower half of the cyl's instead of letting the air from the fan just blow past and out.
I'll bet if you look up between your cyl's[you shouldn't be able to]thats missing too.

i'm sure your engines will run fine without these pieces but better with.---good luck, bruce

Bruce:

My engine does have that curved shield between the cylinders that diverts air to the cylinder bottoms. It is just missing the bottom flat shields.

Another small project to work on in a freezing cold Canadian barn this winter :-)

RJC

The small piece of tin between the cylinders in very important.
www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=267

The main function of the tin plate below the push rod tubes is to protect the tubes. CB did sell some aluminum ones, but the only push rod tube protectors I could find online at CB (today) were the chrome ones.
www.cbperformance.com/catalog.asp?ProductID=1242

If I can find the aluminum ones again I may order a set.

Ron