This has been rattling around in my brain for the last 2-3 weeks, & I finally figured I'd ask you guys about it. While doing research for my swap, I ran across the following quote:

Now ignoring how it seems to contradict itself in the last sentence, has anyone who's had the oil pan off paid attention to this alignment when reassembling it? I figure that I'm going to use a straight-edge as described just in case, but I'm really curious as to what you guys have to say about it...

 

It makes sense. Wording isnt that great... But they are just saying that the pan cant sit back and stick out from the block any. I have a feeling it has to do with how the pan is sort of structural to the block, and if it sits back, the bellhousnig could contact it. That would either cause teh pan to get damaged, or the trans to not seat totally.

Just my guess though...

Im willing to bet it falls into place pretty easily though. as long as you arent shoving the pan backwards when you are bolting it in, its probably ok... Ill find that out in a couple days here.

J.

 

The pan is structural on LS engines. The bell housing bolts to it and the rear of the block and if its off by more than 1/4 mm or in normal SAE measurements .0010" it can pull things around in ways that they shouldnt be pulled and will shorten the life of??? Crank? Trans? Block? All of the above??

Not worth chancing just take great care when installing the pan and you'll be fine.