Is this a 2.3 oil pan access cover?!?

[rdsrds123]

My new-to-me '91 2.3 has oil pressure issues, and when I drained the motor flush fluid I installed, I found a steel access plate on the aluminum oil pan. It has two small bolts holding it on. What is this plate for? If I remove it and reinstall it, will the pan leak oil? Can I clean a pick up screen through this hole, cuz I think that's my problem--pan gasket debris plugging the pick up? thanks again guys!

BTW, when the truck was sitting for a couple of days and I turned it on, I had full oil pressure for a minute to two. After that, the needle began to fluctuate, only a little at first, and then wildly, until it dropped to zero altogether. Seems like a plugged screen to me. Think so?

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

I believe that is the access cover for the torque converter nuts in an automatic transmission. My 89 has aluminum pan with a manual transmission and does not have this cover plate.

 

[rdsrds123]

Cool. Think I'll convert to 5-speed, anyway.

 

[Road Angels]

plate

It wont give you acess to the converter bolts, cause the spacer plate is in the way you have to remove the starter for that, I have seen them on both manuel and autos, mostly on later models that way, I believe that do to the large bolts and the heavy gauge of the plate its for stiffening that area of the pan, my 99 2.5 5spd has it, the pan may also fit other blocks that it may be for acess on those engines

 

[rdsrds123]

got it!