Oil pan spacers?

[TrexMex]

I'm in the middle of changing the oil pan gasket in my engine and both Chilton's and Haynes mention these oil pan spacers I have NEVER seen installed in there. I have removed the tranny a couple of times and I'm positive I didn't drop/missed to install anything in any of those times. Supposedly when failing to install these spacers (They are supposed to go between the oil pan and Transmission mating surfaces) you risk oil leaks and oil pan damage.

Is this true? has any of you guys had seen these spacers before? I would really appreciate the help.

P.S. Happy thanksgiving!

 

[mhughes165]

huh....not exactly sure what its talkin about, the only thing that it could be is seperator place has to be there, u know that thin piece of metal that goes between the trans and the block over the whole back of the engine

 

[runtime]

I asked about these because of them mentioned in the Chilton's manual before replacing engine in my 94. Didn't get a answer suggesting they really existed. My 91 Donor didn't have them nor did the 94.. Think there something mythical Chilton's dreamed up...

 

[ElleShooTiger]

Some oil pan gaskets have metal rings around the bolt holes to prevent the user from crushing the gasket.

 

[TrexMex]

Some oil pan gaskets have metal rings around the bolt holes to prevent the user from crushing the gasket.

These things the manual refers to are more like shims on the back of the oil pan, on the outside... and they mate with the transmission face. I'm starting to feel these were made because the bolt holes tolerance in the pan was so wide that a wiz Ford engineer put them in there in the case these faces didn't mate. I called the Ford dealer today and the parts counter guy told me they don't even carry them anymore and that he doesn't remember selling any of these.... Still makes me wonder if anyone has stumped into them in any engine.... Maybe AllanD or Big Jim???

 

[TrexMex]

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