FRONT SPLASH GUARD

[RRoller123]

I am wondering if many of you remove the large sheet metal front splash guard that runs from the front valence, under the radiator and restricts access to the oil filter? Mine has been hacked up by a PO so that the filter can be replaced without removing the guard, and I am thinking of just taking it off. My car is only driven in good weather. I am installing a new front spoiler that was missing when I bought the car and the presence of this piece just complicates things. Any thoughts on this?

Pete

[spidernut]

I've been driving since approximately 2000 without one. Mine was missing when I bought the car.

[4uall]

If you are referring to this

Oil Pan Guard bottom by itzebtze, on Flickr

mine was off when purchased however, this happened


Dented oil filter by itzebtze, on Flickr

so needless to say it will be going back on

[narfire]

Took mine off years ago and replaced with a guard from one of the vendors.

[4uall]

do you remember the size of bolts you used?

[narfire]

8 X 1.25 I think. It was a bolt on fit, no extra holes had to be drilled I believe. They give access to the filter and drain plug. I have acouple of scratches on mine so I guess I might have saved the pan and the pump pick up. The oil pump pick up sits close to the bottom of the pan .

[4uall]

thanks i will try that size

[RRoller123]

Thanks for the responses!

I think I will put it back on, but I am going to cut it way back so access to the oil filter is unrestricted. It does provide some protection for the bottom of the radiator up front. It mounts with the same bolts as my new spoiler, so having to take all this off to change the oil filter is crazy!

Pete

[divace73]

I wish mine had it....

[chuckcloutier]

I just did my very first oil change about a week ago and had to remove this plate to access the oil filter. It's 8 bolts on an 81, really didn't take that long.

Chuck

[RRoller123]

So what I did was cut it down so that access to the filter doesn't require taking off the guard, which would also mean taking off the front spoiler since on my car they share the same mounting hardware. The splash guard is easily cuttable with aircraft tin snips, then cleaned and painted. I then added 2 pieces of fuel line hose scraps to cover the resultant sharp edges and protect my hands when changing the filter. The hose can be slit lengthwise with a razor knife, (pretty easy if you clamp it in a wood vise) then filled with black RTV and pushed in place and clamped overnight.

[4uall]

that is awesome