Oil pan "rail" washers

[tony-muscle]

I don't know for sure what their names are, but I am looking for washers that follow the rail to use to tighten the oil pan of my Cleveland instead of the standard round washer. I think you could distribute the load a lot better by using a "rail" washer of sorts. I seen it for other engines but probably not made for our Clevelands. If not I guess I could use thin steel rectangular bars with 1/4 holes.

 

[73pony]

I have thought about fabricating something like this as well.

 

[Sheriff41]

Oil pan reinforcement rails or oil pan spreader bars. I haven't seen any for Cleveland application.

 

[tony-muscle]

So either getting a 1/16 or 3/32 thick, 1/2" wide, strip of steel, then cutting and drilling it to fit in between the holes. Or using rectangular washers (I found some in McMaster https://www.mcmaster.com/catalog/130/3695/92516A180). The washers are 1 1/4" long and SS 18-8, which limits how much you can work with them. Or using strips of perforated steel flats. Will get to work!

 

[Bentworker]

If you can’t find them draft something up and have a local waterjet or laser place cut them out.

 

[jasonwthompson]

Might slow your car down, but would something like SBC valve cover clamps work? If you happen to have a ruined pan you could cut the rails and double them up.

 

[Stanglover]

Good idea Tony, but I would think you'd need them to be at least 1/8" thick or thicker to spread the load over their length. Thinner material would do nothing.

 

[tony-muscle]

@Stanglover I agree that 1/8" should be the minimum.
I really don't feel link getting 1/8" thick bar and drilling 20 holes so what I am thinking is of using is the rectangular washers which will give me a 1 1/4" spread. I think that should be good enough for its purpose. For those bolts in the curvy areas I could use perforated bars from the hardware store or just drilled a few holes on solid bars.

 

[Stanglover]

@Stanglover I agree that 1/8" should be the minimum.
I really don't feel link getting 1/8" thick bar and drilling 20 holes so what I am thinking is of using is the rectangular washers which will give me a 1 1/4" spread. I think that should be good enough for its purpose. For those bolts in the curvy areas I could use perforated bars from the hardware store or just drilled a few holes on solid bars.

The washers might be a good alternative and save time.