ARP main studs vs MBSP vs bp05 oil pan.

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Trying to get the oil pan on, and I tried to fit the mbsp, but it doesn't want to sit flush/flat with the lip on the block and line up with all the bolt holes. I got to looking at it, and the new ARP main studs must be taller than the stock bolts (obviously since they have washers..)

It's like the arp main studs hold the mbsp up less than 1/8" off the sealing surface of the block. I don't want to force anything, and I don't particularly care to grind on ANYTHING already bolted to the engine, so I was thinking about drilling some holes in the mbsp and grinding off some areas to make the main studs fit up into the mbsp.

Anybody ever had this problem? what did you do? Yes, I drove the studs in the block until they bottomed out, they're all sitting about the same height out of the block.

It's a 93 protege bp05, bp01 stamped mbsp(came stock on this motor) and ARP Main Studs for a Miata BP.

[Hot_Wheels]

ask on miataturbo.net theres a engine builder in there, bogusvo he seems to know alot.

[zoom zoom]

yea will do, I already started drilling holes in my mbsp, just one more hole needs a little finesse ing, but it seems to have been the problem.

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this is what I'm talking about

ARP main stud interference

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab2/mykromisfit/1994%20Ford%20Aspire/Mazda%20Protege%20Rebuild/IMAG0784.jpg

What it causes

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab2/mykromisfit/1994%20Ford%20Aspire/Mazda%20Protege%20Rebuild/IMAG0787.jpg

drilled holes in MBSP and it sits flat and the bolt holes now line up.

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab2/mykromisfit/1994%20Ford%20Aspire/Mazda%20Protege%20Rebuild/studclearance.jpg

[Advancedynamix]

Seems like a good solution to me. I doubt it'll reduce the effectiveness of the splash pan at all.

[drddan]

I agree. Wont effect the cover's job, and what else could you do? It had to fit.

Looks good.

[Christ]

Would the gasket not have filled the gap adequately?

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It wouldn't have seated fully on the main bearing caps, and the gasket isn't actually a gasket, it's just black RTV.

[Movin]

Contact like that would turn the pan into a mega phone for engine noises!

[Advancedynamix]

^ that might be kinda cool for a little while! You'd hear the rods start to knock from a mile away.

[zoom zoom]

haha, I got the mbsp *hopefully* all clearanced, just finished bolting the oil pan down. Let's hope it's all good. I used a file to smooth off the rough edges that were left from the drill.

Totally forgot to put a magnet back in the oil pan, there wasn't one there when I took it apart tho. I was gonna stick one under the spash shield in the deep part of the pan, but..i forgot, too late now.