65mechanic

Hey, guys. Did some searching and I've come up with little info on what I'm looking for. I've got an explorer 5.0 I'm in the process of rebuilding. I'm putting on the oil pan, I go to tighten down the bolts and they're all too long. I should've expected this from the original oil pan mounting surface being substantially thicker, but its been a while since I tore the motor down. So, now I'm looking for new bolts, but while I'm at it, is there not reinforcement rails that sit in the grooves of the oil pan that the bolts tighten down onto to distribute the "surface clamping pressure"? I purchased a Dorman rear sump oil pan to replace the original ex oil pan, and I'm using a one-piece metallic core/rubberized oil pan gasket. Think I could get new bolts and get away with out using the reinforcement rails? thanks in advance. Joe

65mechanic

Ended up ordering the FRPP Oil Pan reinforcement rails and the slightly longer ARP bolts for use with the rails. Cheap insurance that my oil pan wont be leaking.

88 orangepeel notch

Good choice.....

Boss_Hotrod

I dont have them on my new dart based motor. Found that ARP makes bolts for the older cars that dont have the reinforcement rails and I went with that. Havent really gotten a good test on it though since Ive had to replace the gasket twice due to other repairs. Hopefully I want have any leaks but so far so good.

mjr46

hope you didn't pay much for them....I have 2-3 sets sitting around 15 beans they could of been yours