Splash guard / engine bay guard query

perthling · Post by **perthling** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:27 pm

I understand that Fiat 124s (Coupes and Spiders at least) were originally delivered with a 'splash guard' under the engine which mounted from the trailing edge of the front valance. As this item prevented access to the oil filter, I understand that it was generally removed and not reinstalled on most cars.

My query is, was this item installed all the way through the life of the cars? Or did Fiat realise that it was an impediment and remove it? Also, did the installation of this guard have any impact on the cooling of the engine?

I guess these items would be fairly rare now if there was a good reason to re-install it...

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 8:57 pm

occassionaly I'll see one on a car, and usually it's so beat up that it's hard to reinstall once it's removed

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:21 pm

cost quite a bit of money to engineer even this simple piece of equipment, no matter how inconvienent to maintain the vehicle.

cost even more thousands of dollars to install on each and every vehicle for over a decade.

if it were not performing a practical function, i'd think that the manufacturer would have omitted it long before Fiat stopped producing the car.

I have sought out and reinstalled a "belly pan" on my wife's '78. It came off a '76 and has a very nice looking chin spoiler intergrated into the design.

i belive that it aids in air flow, and helps cooling.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 10:48 pm

I'm sure it originally served a purpose, but nearly every one with the chin spoiler has been bent backwards so severely it can't function as designed. My feeling is that it was used as more of a splash shield than an air flow device, though it may have helped in that regard

spidernut · Post by **spidernut** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:26 am

I know my 81 had one, but not sure which years were so equipped. I recall that it was a pain to remove just to change the oil. The one on my 79 had been removed. From what I can tell, it was removed long ago. I'd love to find one in like new condition along with the original inner fender protectors.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 6:06 am

The one I pulled off a 72 parts car didn't have a spoiler of any type that I recall. I'll have to pull it out of my stack of parts and see how hard it would be to fabricate one. Another "shield" mine had was part of the battery holddown. Does anyone use that and if not, how do you secure the battery? Mine is just sitting in the tray.

manoa matt · Post by **manoa matt** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 1:40 pm

Despite the fact that I have two extra oil pumps, I'd rather fabricate a belly guard, than have to deal with trying to replace an oil pump. Since I'm going to custom fab it, I'll make it so I can reach the oil filter. I hope someone can post some good pix so I can get a starting point. If I can make them efficiently and astetically pleasing, then I might start taking orders.

thanks

Matt Scarton

ventura ace · Post by **ventura ace** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:49 pm

Matt, the 'splash guard' doesn't protect the oil pan. You can ding up the oil pan whether the splash guard is in place or not. There were different designs for the earlier years and later years. I'll take a picture of my early year gaurd tonight if I can find time. The previous owner had cut off a section of mine, below the oil filter, so that the oil filter can be removed from below without removing the splash guard.

Denise, the battery shield itself is what holds down the battery, and fastened with 2 long threaded hooks at the front and rear of the battery. I'll take a pic.

alvon

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 3:51 pm

umm, stock unit did not cover the oil pan. so there was no protection to the oil pump. if you want oil pan and pump protection, you need to look for an oil pan guard. IAP sells those on page # 27 of their current catalogue for $ 119. They work very fine (personal experience).

and, those stock inner fender liners (if original) are so brittle, cracked and otherwise degraded that you'd either discard them or replace with aftermarket units (again from direct experience). i personally prefer removing them, and getting a couple of cans of spray-on undercoating. real mess to put on, but looks rather nice....and no rattles, squeaks, or other noise.

perthling · Post by **perthling** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 7:33 pm

I should be acquiring one this weekend, so I can post pics and measurements if desired.

ventura ace · Post by **ventura ace** » Wed Jan 24, 2007 11:18 pm

Pictures of Splash Guard and Battery Shield, as promised.
1) Looking down from top of engine in Driver side. It's the blue thing. Don't ask me why I painted it blue on top, just did. You can see where somebody cut the pan to allow access to the oil filter from below.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/v ... G_2218.jpg
2) Passenger side, looking down from top of engine. Can also see the battery shield and how it is attached.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/v ... G_2220.jpg
3) Ground level from below
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/v ... G_2221.jpg
4) Cuttout around Oil filter, from below
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/v ... G_2223.jpg
5) Another complete Splash Guard that I am going to clean up, paint, and install. This pic is the top side. The flanges on the L and R sides are about 5" raised from the main pan, and attach to the frame rails. The rear of the pan attaches to the X-member. The front attaches to the bottom of the front valence.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/v ... G_2225.jpg
6) 'nother pic of the bottom side of the complete Splash Guard
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v26/v ... G_2226.jpg

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 1:16 am

IMHO, I don't think leaving the guard off is any big deal. I've never experienced any hot running or overheating without the guard in place. Since the tires are well behind the guard, I can't imagine a splash problem unless you're using the front valance as either a cow catcher or a plow.
Unless somebody can do some windtunnel comparisons, I'm leaving mine off

FMO · Post by **FMO** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 8:53 am

Hi!

Do You have some measurment for this splasg guard? I would like to make on by myself

)

Regards

FMO

ventura ace · Post by **ventura ace** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:35 pm

FMO,
That part is a little complicated. It would take me significant time to make a drawing and label it with dimensions. Here's a suggestion. You have the picture. Make a drawing, and label the dimensions that you would like measured as A, B, C, D, etc. Send to me and I will measure the dimensions for you.
For all the hole locations (14 fasteners), you can measure the mating location on your spider. It should have threaded holes along the bottom of the front facia, along the unibody frame, and underneath the X-member.

Alvon Elrod
ventura_ace@juno.com

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Thu Jan 25, 2007 6:33 pm

If you could identify all the attaching points for the under guard, It shouldnt be that hard to fab one, Id do a hinged door for oil filter access. I took mine off and cant tell any difference. The guards in the wheel wells protect the panel welds somewhat, rust, and water intrusion into the cab and rockers. If I fab new ones, theyll me sheet metal.

Splash guard / engine bay guard query

Splash guard / engine bay guard query

belly pan

Dimensions of splash guard