My exchange steering rack isn't exactly the same as the original. It doesnt have the correct bolts to hold on the heat shield. How important is it to have fitted ?

 

Very important, IMO. Particularly so in cat equipped V12 cars. The exhaust heat cooks the rack seals.
What is the problem, precisely, as the rack itself should be indentical and longer bolts can be easily found?

 

The original rack has 2 bolts and the replacement rack doesnt. (Mechanic fitted it anyway......)

 

Normally the heat shields are attached to the rack to subframe bolts, not the rack tower fixings.

 

Oh.. As l didn't remove it l'm going from what he said. Does anyone have a picture of it fitted ?

 

 

Just get the guy to weld on an extension. That fitting is not that same as on pre facelifts, so my pics will not help. The JCP siteshows these as the heat shields for the facelifts, which are the same as the pre-F.
https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.../brand/jaguar/

It also shows this, see part which looks like your bracket. I suspect this is in addition to the above ones.
https://parts.jaguarlandroverclassic.../brand/jaguar/

 

OK, so l got under the car and lo and behold l saw the 2 bolt heads are there. Undid 1 at a time and fixed the bracket. Alls well now Except for all the other 'little jobs' to get done.
Thanks all