oil pan re-inforcement plate

[vercingetorix]

Found these listed on the club CD and was wondering if they are necessary. When I took it apart these were missing but didn't seem to be leaking. Also how the heck do they work if they are installed as per the fiche? Looks like they would contribute to leakage because there seems to be no gasket between them and the block. Just wondering because my engine is in the final reassembly phase.

Thanks,

H Houghton

[Carl Beck]

The reinforcements go over the outside lip of the oil pan - not between the pan and block. They are just shown above the pan so you can see them.

It wouldn't surprise me if they were never put on a 09/70 car.

FWIW,

Carl B.

[vercingetorix]

Thankyou Mr. Beck that is exactly what I needed, also are the crucial to the pan?

[Carl Beck]

crucial - no. I believe that they are there more to provide an even distribution of load along the rather thin lip - than to actually reinforce the pan itself. The pan bolts take very little torque - and most people don't have inch/pound torque wrenches - so it's easy to over tighten, or tighten unevenly the pan bolts - which can result in leaks.

Years ago - BRE sold a stud kit - to replace the pan bolts. So you could lock the studs in the block with LocTight. Then they used nila-lock aircraft type nuts - along with a rubber pan gasket. It made R&R'ing the pan a breeze - and eliminated any leaks/seeps..

FWIW,

Carl B.

[vercingetorix]

Thanks again,

I'll go fishing for some,if I can't find any before installation of my pan I can always add them later. Stud kit sounds pretty trick as well.

H Houghton