i removed the engine of my 2.8 just to get at this sucker. i'm curious though. there are two heatshields on this one. a flat large one and a small round one. they went in the order of flat heatshield, gasket, manifold, round "small" heat shield. so, the question is: does the flat heatshield act as a gasket since it is what contacts the engine? does reassembly require 2 gaskets for that maninfolt, i.e.-engine, gasket, heatshield, gasket, manifold? how should i clean the mating surface of the heatshield? can i toss the heatshield?

Don't toss the heat shield. I had one that the shields were missing and the heat in the summer would migrate into the car. The A/C didn't stand a chance to keep up. Drive it more then 20 miles on a 95* day and you will need a shower to wash the sweat off. I have replaced them and the problem is gone.
Not sure of the order of gaskets?? (gasket, shield, manifold??)

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85 GT 4spd 2.8 1 yr blk
86 SE 4spd 2.8 2 yr blk
86 GT Auto 2.8 new to me.
87 SE 5spd Future 4.9 6yr

I tossed my heat shield. It was rusted so bad it would leak. I don't think putting gaskets on both sides of it would have helped either. The heat shield was a recall item when it was installed. It was more of a scattershield than a heat shield. It was mean to keep oil leaks off the catalytic converter. It has nothing to do with keeping heat out of the passenger compartment. There is a real heat shield and insulation on the passenger compartment that provides this protection. I left the exhaust manifold heat shield off because it was trapping leaves, pine needles and oil. Tell me that this is not a fire hazard. I also didn't want to chance an exhaust leak which would ignite this mess. It's been almost three years since I did it and I have had no problems. I also have ceramic coated exhaust manifolds now.

I installed mine on the outside of the manifold,therefore using just a gasket between the head and manifold.
I cut away the extra metal but kept the bolt holes that fit on the lower bolts. then I used studs with flat washers on both sides of the heat shield for support,
wheelie

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hope this helps https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Archives/Archive-000001/HTML/20020825-2-018487.html

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