Help I dont know what this part is!!

[Smkmrjn18]

Hi everyone I'm new to the forums,as I was just looking around my wheels I notice what looks to be a burned hole next to my engine on some type of guard.I don't know what this part is called and If i should be alarmed. Its on my drivers side.it'd also happening to passenger side but its not fully a hole yet.anyone experience this before.also could something else be going wrong. Thanks guys

 

[Joe in NY]

That is your exhaust manifold. Looks like your shield has rust through.. Mean your manifold isn't far behind too.. Ford has the worst ones ever. Time for replacement..

 

[Smkmrjn18]

Wow thank you so much,I will be going on a 3 hour trip in 2 weeks you think it will be a problem or just get it fixed before hand. Also how difficult would it be to FYI project? Is there a way of knowing if i should just change the gasket or the entire piece?

 

[1996EB]

My exhaust manifold heat shields have looked like crap for a couple of years now. Doesn't affect anything and I don't have any exhaust leaks in the manifolds, so I'm not doing anything with them yet.

 

[1996EB]

Also had a Chev that did exactly the same thing. Not a big deal. If they start to rattle, wrap a metal hose clamp around the shield and manifold (when cold) and tighten it up...did that on the Chev, end of problem.

 

[Smkmrjn18]

Thanks everyone for your help,I think I'm just gonna wait to fix it,because I don't hear and rattling or ticking from engine,but of course the sound could be drowned out from the torque converter rattling, yea I have the famous torque converter problem.