Exhaust Manifold Problems

My 95 Del Sol has the 1.6 VTEC SOC engine. The Exhaust Manifold cracked and to save some money I ordered one from an Online Used Parts house. The one they sent me does not have the mounting holes on the inside of the manifold for the heat shield. I called them and they sent me another and darn if it too is missing the mounting holes on the inside.

So, my question is can I use the replacement manifold without mounting the inner heat shield. The outer heat shield mounting holes are there, just no inside heat shield. I see there's nothing behind the manifold but the engine block but I wonder if the exhaust manifold would get so hot as to affect the block.

Thanks in advance....JC III

The heat shields are there mostly to just keep wires from touching it or looking ugly since the exhaust manifold is cast iron. Aftermarket exhaust manifolds do not have heat shields and it doesn't harm anything. You should be fine.

agreed just dont put the heat shield on

As long as the actual manifold fits then I say put it on.