Why are these studs so long for the manifolds? is there supposed to be a heat shield attached?

 

I think Ford just put them there as a matter of assembly in case they were needed.
Mine are the same as well and I have no heat shield.
I've looked under many hoods too, and I've never seen a heat shield in that area on a 3 litre.

 

Figures - my Dad was asking why i appear to be missing a heat shield, i guessed it was Ford and their infamous parts bin, he agreed, but argued you only leave so much exposed bolt if you had plans for attaching something else there.

Good to know i'm not really missing anything, thanks.

 

I think there are some of those studs on the other side too that aren't used either.
Same with the "pin" studs that hold the valve covers in place, not all of them are used.

 

Yes, there are, to both of those.